Susan Butler. Via Butler’s Orchard website.
Susan Joy Butler, second-generation owner of Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, has died at age 63 after battling cancer, the orchard said Wednesday.
“After beating the odds for years, she ultimately lost her fight with cancer,” a statement from the orchard said. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her husband, Washington White, and her family. Butler was born and raised on the orchard.
“As a second generation owner of Butler’s Orchard, Susan built the framework for what can be seen and enjoyed by our many visitors today.”
She had since semi-retired from the family farm and opened her own cidery and orchard in Montgomery County with her husband, before selling those to their niece and nephews late last year.
“Susan was a very kind and generous soul. She provided love, care, opportunity, and inspiration to so many. She will be dearly missed.”
Her mother, Shirley Brown Butler, who founded and ran the orchard with her late husband George, passed away peacefully in her home in Sept. 2020 at age 91.
Butler’s father, George, died in 2000 and her brother, Todd, passed away in 2010. She is survived by her husband, step children, brother Wade Butler, sister Carol Butler and many other family members.
