VICKY LYNN BUTT
July 21, 1956 ~ April 10, 2023

Vicky Lynn Butt, 66, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2023, in her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Vicky is survived by her husband, Graydon, their daughter Lindsay BeauParlant (Paul) and son Michael Butt (Jenna). Forever remembered by her siblings Steve and John Waite, and her grandchildren Bennett, Elias and Emmelynn. She was predeceased by her grandparents George and Edna Fountain and her parents Calvin and Betty Waite.

Born in Bracebridge at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, on July 21, 1956, to Calvin and Betty Waite, Vicky attended elementary and high school in Gravenhurst High School.

Here, she met Graydon, curtailing a promising badminton career. Meeting in the 10th grade, Graydon began his courtship quickly, finally asking for her to go steady in the 11th grade. To mark the event properly, Graydon’s celebratory wheelie on his Yamaha 650 both impressed and embarrassed his new belle. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that celebratory bicycle stunt.

She then entered the Dental Assistant program at Canadore College in North Bay. Shortly after graduating, she would marry the love of her life, her daredevil, her “Groover.” They would build an amazing life together for the next 45 years. The diploma she earned would lead to a long career in the dental field, which would last over 35 years. This included working for several dentists, teaching courses at Confederation College, and leaving an impact on virtually everyone who worked with her.

In 1988 Vicky, Graydon and their two young children moved to Thunder Bay. Here, she established deep roots in the community, as Lindsay and Michael joined many organizations.

Lifelong Girl Guide

The most prominent of these for Vicky was Girl Guides of Canada.

For 55 years, like her mother Vicky gave her time and energy selflessly to Girl Guides. She started her career as a Guide herself and remained involved as a leader. Many years of leading and travelling took Vicky as far as Mexico and Europe with Guides, and all over Canada. Vicky stayed on with guides for many years, eventually becoming Area Chair for the region.

She was very proud of how many young people she helped during her time in Guiding, with her crown jewel being the camp at Polly Lake, a legacy that lives on through the Sea Cadets of Canada, a transition she helped architect.

Vicky had the ability to make anything beautiful. Knitting, crocheting, decorating, and painting. Quilting became her calling later in her career, culminating in a Masters in Quilting. It would be safe to say that almost everyone she knew now has a Vicky B Quilt. She spent hours in her sanctuary, stitching elaborate designs with wonderful colours.

Loving ‘Nanny’

Through her many accomplishments, career and volunteerism, there was one job that Vicky loved the most: “Nanny.”

Grandmother to Bennett (b. 2015) Elias (b. 2017) and Emmelynn (b. 2019) was the job she was born to do. Nothing brought her more joy than these last eight years with her three favourite people in the whole world.

In 2022, Bennett and Emmie moved home to Thunder Bay, and completed the reunion of the family. Many weekends and sleepovers were had at “Nanny’s,” with arts and crafts, games, and sometimes just a (not so) quiet movie and cuddles.

Vicky will always be remembered for her passion, her devotion to her family and friends, and her unwavering ability to communicate. She could tell stories, teach, give advice, tell stories, and recount any number of her personal experiences, with narrating expertise from Graydon.

The thing is, she will be remembered always for her giant heart and the love she gave to anyone she held dear.

A funeral services for the late Mrs. Vicky Butt will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 2 p.m. at The Gathering Table Church, officiated by Reverend Ann Camber.

The service will be live streamed: https://gatheringtable.ca/

https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MzQ3MTU5Nw==

A video recording will also be available on the Everest of Thunder Bay website following the service.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James.

In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations can be made in memory of Vicky to The Girl Guides of Canada and would be greatly appreciated: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/48953?v2=true