Physical Education teacher Jennifer Butler of West Virginia passed away from Covid-19 on April 14, 2020.
Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of another dedicated educator. Jennifer Butler, a physical education teacher from West Virginia, passed away from the disease on April 14, 2020. She was only 57 years old.
Jennifer was born in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia, to Jennings Lee Ashton, Jr., and Amelia Ashton. As a young girl, Jennifer attended Martinsburg High School, where she graduated in 1981. After high school, Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Shepherd University. Shepherd is a public university located in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Once she obtained her degree, Jennifer taught at several elementary schools in her home state. At the time of her passing, she was teaching at Hedgesville Elementary School in Hedgesville, West Virginia.
“Jenny Butler has been an unshakable presence in the education of our children,” remembered the school’s Principal Melissa D. Hollen. “Her quiet kindness and creative lessons always made student health and well-being the centerpiece of her teaching.”
Hollen revealed that one of Jennifer’s special projects had been the completion of the school’s walking track. “For many years, Mrs. Butler had wanted the walking track to be paved so that students and community members could have another place to develop good health practices and enjoy life’s quiet moments,” Hollen said.
In addition to Covid-19, Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the school year. “Throughout her battle, Mrs. Butler continued to teach, and her deep care of the children and their well being never faltered,” remarked Hollen. “The job of a loving teacher doesn’t stop, and Mrs. Butler took the time to help answer students’ questions,” Hollen continued. “She was a tremendous person; warm, loving, and graceful. She was modest beyond compare and deeply devoted to her family, our staff and our students,” Hollen concluded.
To read more about Jennifer Butler, read this obituary printed in the Herald Mail Media.