BUTLER, Sarah

Sarah Butler (nee Libfeld), 98, of Delray Beach, passed away peacefully at her home on March 11, 2020. Sarah lived her life fully and touched many with her caring heart, wit and generosity. A strong, independent lady, Sarah had many friends who enjoyed her sense of humor and examples of courage and grace. She will be greatly missed.

Born July 20, 1921 in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Samuel E. and Rebecca (Odeska) Libfeld. Prior to moving to Delray Beach in 2012, Sarah had lived in East Stroudsburg, PA , graduating from East Stroudsburg High. She later lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn NY, Terra Linda, CA, Munich, Germany, San Antonio, Texas and Silver Spring, MD prior to coming to Florida.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Frank G. Butler. Sarah is survived by her daughter Georgia and her husband Arthur W (A.W.) Smith, III, and by her son, Stuart A. Butler and stepdaughter Katherine (Butler) and her husband Jeffrey Weichel. Also surviving is her granddaughter Rebecca F. Smith, step-granddaughters, Stacey (Smith) O'Hora, Stephanie (Smith) Griffin and Parker (Smith) Posey and their children Henry, Haley, Grace and Colton. She was also preceded in death by her step-grandson, Arthur W. Smith, IV.

During World War II, Sarah served as a corporal in the Women's Army Corps from 1942-1945. She was a member of the 1097 Service Command Unit where she was a high-speed radio operator, teaching Morse code to pilots. Sarah received the Good Conduct Medal, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Service Ribbon, American Campaign Medal and WW2 Victory Medal.

Sarah worked in a variety of positions prior to raising her children. In 1981 she joined the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD as an Editorial Assistant in the Laboratory of Cell Biology. There she supported renowned doctors from around the globe as they published their research. Many of the doctors befriended her and in fact she was invited to Japan on two occasions to attend the weddings of two of the fellows with who she assisted. She retired from NIH in 1989.

Sarah was a life member of Hadassah. She was an avid reader, reading up to

five books at a time until her failing eyesight had her listening to books on tape. Sarah also enjoyed playing bridge and doing the daily crossword puzzle in the Washington Post, attending performances at the John F. Kennedy Center and eating gourmet meals. Fashion was also a passion and she always dressed and admired style! She had many rituals including eating Pepperidge Farm raisin bread, watching Jeopardy and was never without her Tic Tacs. Perhaps her biggest love in life besides her family was her desire to travel the world. She went visited every continent except Antarctica. Whether traveling in a group or solo, nothing stopped her from her adventures. Not even a broken leg held her back from getting to Barrow, Alaska.

Chapel services will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Rubin Memorial Chapel, 7340 Boynton Beach Blvd.. Boyton Beach, FL 33437 with a procession and internment to follow at the South Florida National Cemetery on State Road 7 (441) in Lake Worth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or support.woundedwarriors.org