Terryl Dee “Terry” Butler passed away March 8, 2022, in Aberdeen, Washington, due to complications caused by ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
She was born March 15, 1948, to Leland Maxwell “Max” Butler and Dorothy Beryl (Pitts) Butler. The Butler and Pitts families were pioneers in the Scott Valley region of Northern California.
She was raised in Etna and Ft. Jones, California, graduating from Etna Union High School in 1966. She married Donald Hammer in 1968, and they had two sons, Scot Alan Hammer and Drew Davis Hammer. They later divorced.
Terry worked as a Support Services Specialist with the U. S. Forest Service in California, Idaho and Alaska for more than 35 years. In 1986, she transferred to Hoonah, with her two sons. In 1988, Linn Shipley transferred to Hoonah from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest at Hayfork, California. Terry and Linn married on April 22, 1994, and were happily married 27 years.
In 1995, the couple transferred to Sitka, where they bought a home and lived the Alaska lifestyle. She was an active member of the Sitka Sportsman’s Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. She even dabbled in cowboy single-action shooting events.
Both Terry and Linn retired in January 2007 and the following year moved to Montesano, Washington.
Terry enjoyed genealogy, counted cross stitch, crossword, and jigsaw puzzles, reading mystery novels, enhancing her culinary skills, and watching her favorite daytime shows. There were always cats (and some dogs) around to keep her company.
Terry is survived by her husband Linn of Montesano; mother Dorothy Butler (101 years old) of Ft. Jones, California; sons Scot Hammer of Montesano and Drew Hammer of Ft. Jones, California; daughter-in-law Melissa Jane (Fawk) Hammer and grandson Flynn Tiberius Hammer both of Montesano; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. She was preceded in death by her father Max and older brother Stephen Maxwell Butler.
The family acknowledged the health care professionals and staff who cared for Terry from the time of her ALS diagnosis in December 2018.
They listed: Dr. Michael Elliott and his staff at Swedish Neuroscience Institute; Dr. Craig Teveliet and his staff at Harbor Regional Medical Group; the home aides from Apogee Healthcare Professionals, Korean Women Association, and All Ways Caring; home nurses at Harbors Home Health & Hospice; and Option Care that provided for Terry’s nutritional needs.
Also, Performance Home Medical that provided a bi-pap machine so Terry could breathe; Lincare that provided a hospital bed and other medical equipment; ambulance crews from Central Park Fire District 2 for professionally transporting Terry to and from the hospital; and Harbor Regional Health Emergency Room and Critical Care Unit doctors, nurses, and staff for caring for Terry in her final days.
According to Terry’s wishes, no services or memorials will be held. Terry’s ashes will be interred later in the family plot in the Ft. Jones Cemetery.
To share memories or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com.
