LAURINBURG — Mary Catherine English Butler, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother died on Feb. 3, 2014.

She was born on May 5, 1929 in Asheville, daughter of the late Clarence and Catherine Rowland English. She attended St. Genevieve of-the-Pines in Asheville and St. Mary's Junior College in Raleigh. Mary Cat was married in 1950 to Samuel M. Butler Jr. until his untimely death in 1999. Mary Cat and Sam lived in Charlotte for 20 years before moving to Laurinburg in 1969.

They had four children: Chip Butler, Cathy Pullen (deceased), Richard Butler, and Alison McCormick. Her grandchildren include Brooke Pullen Shippee and husband Eric, Paige Pullen, Kelsey McCormick, Caitlin McCormick, Maggie Butler, and Spencer Butler and great-grandchildren Jason and Abby Shippee.

She is survived by her sons Samuel Butler (Chip) and his wife Trisha of Charlotte and Richard and his wife Nancy of Charlotte, her daughter Alison McCormick and son-in-law Aubrey of Laurinburg, her grand and great-grandchildren, nieces Lynn B. English and Elizabeth English Jackson, nephew Clarence M. English III, cousins, and many friends.

Mary Cat was active in a number of clubs as well as First Baptist Church of Laurinburg. She enjoyed her friends, her yard, and her dog. Always she was ready to go either to the beach or the mountains on a moment's notice. She loved to admire antiques and was always interested in checking out the antique shops. Mary Cat enjoyed reading, playing bridge, working puzzles with her grandchildren, and playing golf with her friends. She was an avid gardener, a pastime she enjoyed with her garden club and her daughter Cathy. The family beach cottage, "The Sea Turtle," at Ocean Isle was a particular joy to Mary Cat. She also loved cruising the intracoastal waterway on family boat "The Merry Sea."

Mary Cat and Sam spent 39 years hosting their best friends at The Masters golf tournament, and enjoyed years of dinners with their friends in the RSVP Dinner Club. She will be missed greatly by her family, whom she loved abundantly and by all her friends in Charlotte and Laurinburg.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers, staff and residents of Carmel Hills for making Mary Cat's happiness and comfort their avocation the last couple of years. We would also like to thank all her caregivers at CMC Mercy for caring so much.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium at 305 East Church Street, Laurinburg, NC. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at First Baptist Church in Laurinburg followed by graveside service at Hillside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 883, Laurinburg N.C. 28353 or Hospice of Scotland County, P.O. Box 1033, Laurinburg, N.C. 28353 or Carmel Hill, 2801 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.

McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium is serving the family.