Newspaper Article 2008 – Kathleen Butler QSM JP

Kathleen Butler QSM JP
22.09.1910-19.05.2008

Obituary

It would be something of an understatement to describe Napier woman Kathleen Butler as a devoted stalwart of the National Party.

“For many years she breathed the National Party,” nephew Peter Butler said in his eulogy to a woman whose life was rich and rewarding, and whose political devotion was such that sister Nora dubbed her “The PM”.

It was a nickname that stuck for more than 40 years.

Born in Waipawa, Ms Butler rode her pony to Tikokino School every day and later completed her schooling at Sacred Heart College in Wanganui.

She returned to help look after the family’s ‘Tralee’ property after her mother died in 1924 and stayed there until 1940, when she moved to Hastings for six months before settling in what would be her home until she died, in Cobden Road on Napier Hill.

Throughout her life, she was involved in all facets of community life – from delivering meals on wheels and working in the St Vincent de Paul shop to sport, justice and politics.

She became heavily involved in golf, joining the Waiohiki Golf Club in 1948 and gaining a place in the Hawke’s Bay provincial representative side, of which she became vice-captain.

She was also vice-president of the club in 1956-57 and 1967-68 and a passionate fundraiser.

Present Napier Club professional, Kim Southerden, said: “She was a great organiser and a great administrator, as well as a great golfer.”

The 1974 life membership was bestowed upon her.

Other life memberships followed – including one with a unique twist, as Peter Butler discovered.

After her death he came across a life membership notification from the Hawke’s Bay Travel Club. He was a little bemused, because apart from a couple of wartime trips to Australia (when she was a WAAC rising to the rank of Corporal), Ms Butler never really left Hawke’s Bay.

So he called the club’s president and asked how a non- traveller could achieve such status. “His reply was they had a lunch meeting once a month to hear other travellers’ stories and Kath was a great listener.”

Ms Butler had been a foundation member of the club.

She had also been a foundation member of the Napier Bridge Club and served on many committees.

It was her work within the National Party that also brought a life membership – Ms Butler was only the third woman to receive the accolade.

She began her work as Napier electorate organiser, secretary and administrator in 1963, from an office in Hastings Street which she referred to as “The White House”.

She became a great friend of Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, who would always call and see her when he was in Hawke’s Bay.

“What a thrill she got when Chris Tremain triumphed in 2005,” her nephew said.

Three years ago, Ms Butler was presented with a Presidential Citation by National Party president Judy Kirk, in recognition of her long years of dedication to the party and the Napier electorate.

She had another life membership to some – for her service to the Justices of the Peace Association in 1991 (she had become a JP in 1977).

But the highlight of her rich and rewarding life was being honoured for her community work with a Queen’s Service Medal in 1991.

Photo caption – HIGH ACHIEVER: Kathleen Butler.