Dorothy "Dotsie" Smith Butcher

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Michael Russo and concelebrant Rev. Monsignor Jefferson J. DeBlanc, on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, for Mrs. Dorothy "Dotsie" Elaine Smith Butcher, who passed away peacefully on September 3, 2024, at the age of 94. She was surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her home in Lafayette. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand Drive, with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Born on September 2, 1930, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Dotsie was deeply rooted in the Acadiana region, where she spent her formative years in the historic Saint Streets neighborhood. She graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1947. During this time, she met her beloved late husband, John Elden Butcher. Their partnership extended beyond their personal lives to many successful business ventures, including Butcher Distributing, The Lodge, The Plaster Gallery, Accent Studios, and Elrose, a historic house and event venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 1984. Dotsie attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and was a proud member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, where she cultivated lifelong friendships. Her deep faith and commitment to family were the hallmarks of her life, and her home was a vibrant gathering place, especially when her grandchildren and their friends returned to her home from Our Lady of Fatima School. Fond memories of coffee milk afternoons and lovingly crafted church decorations are cherished by those closest to her. Dotsie was an avid gardener, whose green thumb and nurturing spirit brought beauty to every space she touched. Her legacy of love and care extended beyond her family to her Catholic faith, where she was a pillar of the Our Lady of Fatima community. A devout Catholic, Dotsie was an active member of numerous religious organizations, including the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Serra Club, Altar Society, Weekly Adoration Chapel, Missionaries of Charity, Carmelite Angels, and the Peace Mass Committee. She played a pivotal role in establishing Divine Mercy Sunday, the Weekly Rosary, and the monthly Carmelite Peace Mass at Fatima Church. Dotsie’s unwavering faith took her on pilgrimages to holy sites worldwide, including the Holy Land, Medjugorje, and Vatican City. In recognition of her tireless service, she was honored with the 2009 Bishop's Service Award from the Diocese of Lafayette. She was also crowned Queen Margaret of Provence IX at the Bishop’s Charity Ball in 1996 for her selfless contributions to the needy and homeless in Acadiana. Dotsie’s love for parades was boundless, from celebrating Mardi Gras in Lafayette, LA to flying to Pasadena, CA, to help decorate Rose Parade floats. As a founding member of the Krewe of Attakapas, Dotsie was honored in 1978 by being crowned Queen Karakondye the X. Even in her later years, her zest for life never waned. She organized and enjoyed the “Eighties Ladies Monthly Luncheon” with friends at local eateries, continuing to celebrate life with enthusiasm and grace. Dotsie’s legacy of faith, community service, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Kathleen Smith Cook; her children, Steven Butcher and his wife, Tami, and Brian Butcher; Son-in-law, Guy Rodrigue; her grandchildren, Ryan Butcher, Benjamin Rodrigue, Melissa Rodrigue Speyrer and her husband, Joey, Rachel Rodrigue, Callie Rose Butcher, Brennan Butcher and his wife, Alexis, Jamie Butcher, Spencer Butcher, and Molly Butcher; her great-grandchildren, Nora Meche, Vivian Speyrer, Scarlett Speyrer, Elden Speyrer, and Edie Butcher; as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, John Elden Butcher; her parents, Merlin Chapman Smith and Beatrice Broussard Smith; her brother, Retired Colonel Merlin Chapman Smith, Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth “Bettie”; and her daughter, Pamela Ann Butcher Rodrigue. Pallbearers will be Ryan Butcher, Brennan Butcher, Spencer Butcher, Benjamin Rodrigue, Joey Speyrer, and James Billeaudeaux. The family of Dotsie Butcher extends their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Acadiana and to her caregivers, Rose Thomas, Mary Francis, and Bessie Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dotsie’s name to the Carmelite Nuns or Hospice of Acadiana. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. September 2024

Dorothy "Dotsie" Smith Butcher

September 2, 1930 - September 3, 2024