This web page is dedicated to one of the most
courageous people I have ever had the pleasure
of getting to know, and love. It is about my
sister-in-law, Dottie Butler, who was diagnosed
in early 1998 with ovarian cancer,
which has now spread within her. Her time
left here, with us, her family and friends is
very limited, a few weeks at best, and through
this web site I'd like everyone to know how we
all feel about her. She is one tough woman, who
has been dealt a lot of pain and anguish in life,
but proved to be a survivor thus far. Please
never take for granted what you have today, for
tomorrow it may be gone and too late to say how
you really feel about someone. Don't let a
tragedy, any tragedy, bring you to your knees
to say words that should automatically roll
from your heart into the heart of the one you
love. Dottie has done that to all of us. She
has shown us her love for those of us that are
fortunate enough to have the priviledge of being
in her life. For what ever reason, there's
a "higher power" that feels it's not time for
her to leave us yet. Maybe she still needs to
teach just one more person the "Power of Love"
and what it can do. I do believe that was her
mission while she was here with us. Dottie, we
love you, and you'll always hold a very special
place in our hearts, a place that no one else
will ever be able to replace. This is not the
first time I've watched someone succumb to this
horrible disease. The first was my mother, in
1991, who was eaten alive by this horrible disease.
There's nothing anyone can do to help, and it's so
hard to sit back, watch and literally be able to do
nothing about it. I can't explain the feeling of
helplessness that goes through you. Hopefully, this
page will touch your heart and you will do what is
right for all those afflicted. Please enjoy, and
leave your comments in my guest book at the bottom
of the page, thank you.
Dottie passed away approximately 9:30p.m., September 4th, 2000.
It was her love for her sons that kept her going until today.
Dottie's youngest son, Kenny, had his 13th birthday party today,
and I know in my heart Dottie wanted to see that happen before
she left us. That's just the kind of mother she was, her children
came first and foremost in her life. This poem is dedicated to and
in memory of one of the strongest and most courageous people I have ever
been blessed to have known. I wrote this shortly after I received
a call from Ron, her husband, that Dottie had found her peace. The
pain is over now Dottie, rest and be at peace. Know that we'll always
be thinking of you, and that a part of you is alive through your sons,
Sean and Kenny. You will be forever loved and missed!
Heavy Hearts
Cyndi Butler
As each day slowly turns to night
And the day comes to an end,
We reflect on what we learned today,
And pray for things to mend.
As slowly as the night falls
Sometimes death comes that way too.
It's unbearable to watch and see
Someone slowly leaving you.
Death is such a painful thing
It eats your heart away.
There's always a part of who you love
In your heart will forever stay.
Some people live in our world
To teach us lessons well,
Whatever their mission here on Earth
No one can ever tell.
I know of an earthly angel
Who has finally earned her wings.
Her teachings here on earth are done
Now in Heaven she sings.
She's left us all with heavy hearts
For part of us is gone.
Until we meet again in Heaven
Each of our lives will go on.
Thank you Dottie for teaching us,
You've shown us what love can do.
Through your passion and zest for life
We'll always remember you!
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FITCHBURG -- The sight and sound of a cavalry of iron horses charging
down a scenic byway on a picture-perfect summer afternoon shouldn't
come as a surprise to anyone. The motorcycles' gleaming chrome,
the riders in their leathers and the ground shaking thunder of dozens
of street machines call to mind the nostalgia of "The Wild One" or "Easy Rider."
While it's obvious that the bikers were born to be wild, it may surprise
some people to find out that they were also born to be philanthropic.
Saturday turned out to be the perfect day for the "Ride for Cancer --
Dottie's Run" sponsored by the Back in the Saddle Bar on Ashby State Road.
Mark "Biggs" Bigwood, owner of the club, explained how almost 60 of his
friends and patrons decided to turn their bikes into vehicles of hope.
"Ron came to me and asked me if there was anything to do for his wife,
Dottie. So I came up with this," Biggs said.
Dorothy Butler was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February of 1998,
said her son, Sean Buddington. The ride, or "run," was planned to
raise money for the American Cancer Society. All money raised will be
donated to the ACS in her name. Although Dottie planned to take part
in the run, her deteriorating condition forced her to be admitted into
the hospital on Thursday.
"She's doing all right now, not too bad," said Buddington.
Ron Butler, one of the last to arrive at Back in the Saddle, said that
Dorothy has been an avid motorcyclist over the years.
"We used to ride a lot together, but it was usually just the two of us.
She asked me, 'How come we never went on runs with a bunch
of people.' I said, 'Hop on the back of my bike and we'll go on a run
for you,' " Butler said.
Butler said that he began organizing the fund-raiser with Biggs back
in May. His employer, Atlantic Blasting Co. of Milford, donated
commemorative T-shirts to be sold as part of the fund-raiser. When he
began the planning, Butler said that he knew nothing about how to
put together such an event.
"I had no idea how to do this when we started. When I fell down,
Mark picked me up. He helped me all along the way," Butler said.
The run began at 9:45 a.m. at Back in the Saddle and made a scenic,
200-mile circuit stopping at McCarthy's Pub in Belchertown,
Mike's in Orange, the Red Onion in Templeton and then back at
Back in the Saddle.
Debbie Towne, who said that she and Dottie are best friends, believes
that the event raised over $1,000 through its ride fees,
sales of T-shirts and ticket sales for a raffle of a Harley Davidson
accessories package.
Dottie's sister, Lorraine Caddigan, was on hand from Maine to help
with the fund-raiser and thank those involved for their participation.
"I really appreciate all that these guys have done. I haven't been back
on the bike in 20 years,and these are such great guys," Caddigan said.
Buddington echoed the sentiments, "They are all great people here."
Butler hopes that the fund-raiser can become an annual tradition.
"I think when we do it next year, it's going to be better. The more
we do it, the more people become aware of what we're trying to do
and will show up," Butler explained.
was completed. Everyone has such a great time.
Our hearts and thoughts were with Dottie that
day, all wishing she could have attended this
function in her honor.
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Cancer is an ugly disease that not only effects
the one afflicted, but also those who know
and love the patient. Some are lucky enough to
survive this horrible illness, but then there
are those who are taken from us far too soon.
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Cancer has no enemies, is not prejudiced as to
who it attacks, and cares not at what age.
Without a cure for this horrible disease, people
in every walk of life will continue to be taken
from us slowly.
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It's hard enough to lose someone we know
and love, but to lose them this slowly, is
torture. Dottie taught so many of us, so many
wonderful things. She is the most wonderful,
warm, giving, loving, affectionate and
passionate person I've ever known. Her love
and zest for life shined through in everything
she did and in everyone she came to know.
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Dottie was the center of attention that day,
although she was in the hospital. It was
a picture perfect day, the sun was shining,
and it was warm, a perfect day for a motorcycle
ride. Dottie's "Guardian Angel" made sure of that.
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Dottie's favorite flower is yellow roses, so that
explains the background on this page. As for
the little angel cursor, that's Dottie's
"Guardian Angel"...the one that will protect
her while she is here.
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Dottie's will to live is brought on from the
strength of the love for her sons, Sean and
Kenny. Never have I ever met such a loving,
strong and devoted person. Her love for her
sons is keeping her alive. Wouldn't it be
wonderful if everyone could love as passionately
and deeply as she? What a wonderful world
this would be! Even though she is in an
incredible amount of pain, she still smiles
and appears to be at peace with those who visit.
To be able to smile, through all this, is truly amazing!
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Dottie is an incredibly strong and passionate person,
and has literally changed the lives of those
who have come to know her. She has a way of
helping you to see and feel things you never
thought possible, and was not afraid to open
your eyes to see things the way she saw them,
as beatuiful, warm, tender and loving.
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By days end, a total of over $1,300 was collected
in Dottie's name. The response from this day
is incredible, and not just Ron and Dot are
grateful, but also are those that attended,
along with family and friends.
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Ron and Dot on May 11th, 1996
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What can I leave you, my sweet ones
When myself and this world are done?
I leave you joy in place of sorrow,
I leave you hope for each tomorrow.
And all the birds that sing in Spring,
And every memory worth remembering.
I leave you with, warm wind on your face,
I leave you every Summer place.
Everyday that the sun shines bright,
Each and every starry night.
All the smiles along the way
Every child who laughs at play.
The many songs that each bird sings,
and each now love tomorrow brings.
I wish you all that's good here and above
But most of all I leave you love.
I leave you green grass and dewey roses,
And each new work that man proposes.
I leave you lips that always smile,
And fortitude through every trial.
I leave you life of no resentment,
I leave your hearts full of contentment.
I leave you peace brought by a dove,
And I leave you this, "All My Love."
(This poem was written by Dottie, to her sons,
Sean and Kenny before she passed away. Please
do not copy or reproduce this poem in any way,shape or form.)
Whatever our hands touch---
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.
Oh please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heartprints of kindness
and genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!
I shall go out today
To leave heartprints,
And if someone should say
"I felt your touch,"
May that one sense be...
YOUR LOVE
Touching through ME
Charlotte Eiland
(The above poem was printed out and framed for Dottie
and given to her as a gift from myself and my
family on August 31, 2000. This poem puts into
words what Dottie has put into so many hearts. Lets
all go out and leave "Heartprints" in anothers heart,
it might just make a difference to someone!)
Please click on the link below to go to
other web sites I've created over the years
Take this dove and place it on your page
to show your support for
Cancer research and Survivors everywhere.
Please click on the link below to go to
the American Cancer Society's Home Page
for more information
