Obituary of Louisa S. Butler
On Monday, November 29, 2021 the storied life of Louisa “Djina” Santos Butler, that spanned more than 90 years and two continents, abruptly ended. Born on March 5, 1931, on the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa to her single mother, Victoria Dos Santos Brito, she left her home country for marriage and in pursuit of a better life in America after her mother passed away from cancer. The end of the months-long journey found her in Brooklyn, NY, at 20 years old, pregnant, unable to speak English, and – shortly after her arrival – newly widowed. However, a friend of her late husband and his wife Lena “Jiggy” Gomes, took her into their home. She learned English, became Louisa and started a new life, and a new family with Lena Gomes’ only son, William L. Butler, a New York City Police Officer.
Louisa went on to raise her family in Brooklyn, NY, however, she spent her husband’s retirement years in Goshen, NY, and her final years were spent in Sullivan County where she’d kept vacation property, and spent countless hours building rock walls, raking pesky pine needles, and making repairs on homes for her tenants. Anyone fortunate enough to lend her their ear, would have heard her drill in some of her core values of taking pride in your home and to always listen to your body.
Louisa now joins her oldest daughter Lena, her husband William, and daughter Elizabeth in the next life. Left behind to carry her legacy are her children Antonio (Sannatoi) L. Butler and his wife Tasa; Christiano S. Butler and his partner Kim; Frederick (Grey) Butler and his partner Karen; Veronica James and her husband Ricardo; and Goddaughter Daneen Russell. Also holding her memory in light and love are her grandchildren Kelwadis Butler and his wife Iris; Reliina Butler; Tae Butler; and Bell Maddux with her husband Eugene I Maddux; Tiffani Butler; Marcus Butler and his wife Ayesha; Quentin James; Ross James and his wife Raven; and Haleah Butler; as well as Louisa’s sister Linda Santos, and nieces and nephew Lily, Didi, Francoise, Jean Pierre and Valentine. She is also forever loved by great-grandchildren Jesin, Jasalin, Emi, Camilla, Kai, Giovanni, Royal, Josiah, Cash, Acion, Leia, and Landon, and her sister’s grandchildren: Michael, Jasmine, Gabrielle, Adriana and Sabrina and countless more cousins as well as friends who became family.
To celebrate her life, Louisa’s family asks that you honor her memory by making a donation to https://urinyc.org/donate/ to support women who are victims of domestic violence. Talk to you later kiddo.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com
