Delores Butcher

Delores Butcher started having digestive issues in November of 2022, which led to an ER visit and extended medical care. She spent the holidays in rehabilitation therapy care, and after making progress she moved to an assisted living care facility in February of 2023. There were many more good days than bad, she became quite good at racing a wheelchair, always joking and in good spirits.

At the beginning of April, Delores started sleeping more and waking less. On April 12 of 2023, she slept through the day and passed peacefully in her sleep at 10:35 p.m. at the age of 77.

Delores was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 23, 1945, to Jack Davison and Leola Roach Davison. With Jack serving in the Navy and being a Pearl Harbor survivor, and Leola having a beautician school, this allowed Delores to inherit a little fashion and occasionally to have a mouth like a sailor. She loved wise-crack jokes and playing cards. She could never be beaten at Yahtzee. She was the life of the party, whether it was an actual party, a game of rummy, poker, or bingo in the dining room, or simply dancing by herself singing Tiny Tim's "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" to look silly or embarrass you in front of your friends.

She met Larry A. Butcher at Granite High in Salt Lake City, Utah and they were married in October of 1963. After his return from Vietnam, they adopted two children: John Butcher in 1970, and Penny Butcher in 1975.

Penny married Mark Rader in 2004, giving Delores three grandchildren: Paige, Heide, and Coen. The grandkids soon came to call her "Grandma Delirious." All the adults then followed.

Larry and Delores moved from Utah to Green River, Wyoming in 1981. Larry took employment as EMT at trona mine, and Delores worked as hotel and grocery store staff, which gave her more opportunities to socialize and talk a few ears off. She loved being the Sample Lady handing out treats.

They spent their free time playing cards, camping, and arrowhead collecting in the Wyoming desert. Delores also loved playing bingo and being in the bowling league.

Delores remained in Wyoming a few years after Larry's passing in 2007, then moved to Syracuse, Utah in 2012 after meeting Jerry Aldous, "another man in uniform," Delores said with a wink. Once in Utah, she and Jerry lived like young newlyweds. She began camping again and socializing with everyone she could. Delores was fully accepted into Jerry's family and loved as one of their own. Jerry's son, Matthew Aldous, daughters Chessa Shorten and Spring Aldous, and eight grandkids and two great-grandkids all called Delores "grandma."

No one could tell what she loved more, Pepsi Cola or Elvis Presley.

"Those blue suede shoes were welcome under my bed anytime," again Delores with a wink. She actually had more photos of Elvis in her home than any of her family members.

She was always the first to start a fight. By fight, I mean food fight or water fight. You're sitting there minding your business, and suddenly you are getting a face full of shaving cream, then being chased by a crazy woman with ice-cold water. She always got a kick out of spraying the neighborhood kids with a garden hose in the summer.

She was overly generous with care and chatter. At times it was impossible to get back to class after skipping school; she would make lunch for me and my friends and talk us into hanging out the rest of the day. John thought he was special, and she only did this for him, but later found out she would do the same for Penny and her friends, but to only act as a disappointed parent if Larry found out then pretend to discipline the kids.

She loved the simple things in life: smelling good, looking good, and glittering polish on her nails. She loved her trips to get her hair and nails done. Chessa earned an honoree chauffeurs license. Sugar and sweets were a weakness with this one, she even hid candy from herself! She loved knick-knacks and silly gifts and was always up for one more shopping trip to buy that one last thing she needed, although she had 10 or more at home in the cabinet. I do believe she was going for the ride.

Growing up with Delores was a love story. She loved everyone. She always used songs and movies from the great Elvis Presley to commemorate these moments:

For her mother Leola, "Mama Liked the Roses."

Her husband is "Always on My Mind."

Her partner, Jerry, "Can't Help Falling in Love with You."

And for her children, and all left here at this moment, "You'll Never Walk Alone."

In honoring Delores's wishes, she asked to be cremated without funeral services and to have her ashes returned to this earth along with Jerry's at their favorite camping location in the spring when the location is accessible.

In place of flowers and cards, please see the link for donations. Any received funds will be used for medical and end-of-life costs that have accumulated in the last several months.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Delores-Butcher-Medical-and-Memorial-Expenses