Fund Facts: Michael & Cynthia Butcher Fund

Cynthia Butcher is a very special lady who has dedicated much of her life to teaching and helping people.  She grew up in England and set off travelling at a the very young age of 16, taught for 5 years after college in England moved to teach in SD75 when she was 26 years old.  Cynthia met Michael on a blind date and it was love at first sight and they had many happy years together.

Upon his passing, Cynthia decided to start a fund with Mission Community Foundation to honor his memory.   Michael was a member of the Operating Engineers and his last employment was operating a rock crushing machine at the Quarry.  Michael also had a knack for other trades such as plumbing, wiring and building.

Cynthia was a home economics teacher for the Mission School District and wanted this bursary to include trades in the clothing and textile industries.  She also wanted to acknowledge her passion for travel by providing students the opportunity to study tourism.

Cynthia holds a special place in Mission Community Foundations archives as she is currently the longest serving member to our Bursary & Scholarship committee; retiring in 2021 after 20 years of service.  She thoroughly enjoys the interview process and her biographies that are read at the ceremony always give insight in to each student.  The only reason she’s not currently sitting is because of COVID and our requirement to go to zoom.  I have to say that this author misses seeing her at the interviews.

Since inception in 2005, this fund has helped 8 students for a total of $6000.00.  If you would like to support a student studying the trades, clothing, textile or tourism industries, donate today!