Fay Butler Fab/Metal Shaping

Cooking with Phyllis

July 14, 1934 - November 2, 2017

Phyllis Lewis Butler, 83, of Wheelwright, MA, passed away peacefully at home early Thursday morning, November 2, 2017 with her husband of 42 years, Fay Butler, by her side. Phyllis Ann Cutler was born on Bastille Day, July 14, 1934 to Ruth Mae (Gould) Cutler and Elias Henshaw Cutler, on the family farm in Warren, MA. Married to Robin Lewis for 18 years, she is survived by 4 of their 6 children: Kirsten Noble (Hardwick, MA) David Lewis (Fort Collins, CO), Wendy Waterman (N. Eastham, MA), Sharon Hanson (Hardwick, MA); 6 grandchildren: Jonas Noble, Addie Noble, Elizabeth Cronk, Molly Hanson, Samantha Chiasson, and Beau Waterman, and a great-grandson, Nolan Cronk.  She was predeceased by two sons, Peter Lewis and Josh Lewis. Phyllis loved her extended family and all things quality, especially food, music and art.  Phyllis spent the last half of her life with her husband, traveling around the country in antique cars, working side-by-side in his metal shaping business and hosting students from all over the world. Phyllis was very active in the Hardwick community and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Hardwick Fair, particularly the photography and arts committees. She loved to knit, providing baby sweaters for all new parents she came across. She was a very early adapter of the “farm to table” movement and shared her passion for fresh quality food with everyone, often from her backyard garden. There will be a “pot luck” celebration of her life on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 1-5 pm at the Hardwick Town House on the Hardwick (MA) Common. Everyone welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hardwick Community Fair, PO Box 1, Hardwick, MA 01037.

Phyllis Butler, who performs most of the office tasks in the business, loves cooking fine foods. She grew up in the small town of Warren, MA, on the family farm, where her mother started a restaurant. It was home cooking prepared with love using fresh, fine ingredients. Those ideas of food being more than just a meal started there. When I started the seminars back in 1989, it was natural that Phyllis would be the principle person organizing the food. She was working in the local school system, so her daughters helped with the food at that time. Now full time in the shop, she is the person who takes care of the snacks and lunches during the seminar. She prepares muffins for the morning, lunch sandwiches with cookies, and afternoon snack. Often on Wednesday, Phyllis prepares a dinner for all the seminar participants, which concludes with some great dessert she has made. People recognize the great food, and I thought that having Phyllis's recipes on this site would allow people to cook at home, some of her favorite dishes and cookies. So stay tuned for what recipe Phyllis might put up next.

— Fay