Carol (Soucie) Watelet

Carol (Virginia) Soucie Butler Watelet, 85, passed away suddenly and peacefully on April 20, 2024, joining the love of her life, Mr. Wonderful, Robert Watelet who passed away 2 years earlier. Carol was born on March 17, 1939, in Gardner to the late Richard and Wanita Soucie. She was also predeceased by her brothers Larry Soucie, Donald Soucie, half-sister, Kay, and Carol's first husband, Arlan Butler, father of her 2 daughters, Kim Rushford, Penny Morrison and her husband Levaungh Morrison. Carol leaves behind her brother Doug Soucie & wife Debbie, 7 grandchildren, Crystal & (Brent) Benning, Jason & (Kristen) Rushford, Travis Rushford & (Erin), Jeffrey Manheim, Melissa & (Robert) Curtin, Joshua Manheim & (Andrea), Matthew Manheim & (Becky), 5 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, stepchildren, Steven Watelet, Craig Watelet & Sally Watelet, and many nieces & nephews. Carol was married on her 17th birthday & moved to Germany with her first husband, where daughter Kim was born. After 2 years, she came back to the US & resided in New Salem, after having her second daughter, Penny, as soon as the girls were old enough to dance, she started her own local dance studio. After much success, she relocated her studio to Northampton (Carol Butler's School of Dance) where she was a well-known dance teacher who has taught thousands of students over her lifetime. Several of her students went on to dance or teach professionally around the world. Carol served as National president of many dance organizations. She bravely took large groups of her students to NY city for weeklong national conventions to study with professional instructors from all over the country, see Broadway shows and to Lincoln Center ballet at every opportunity and many dance competitions. Her motto was "never say can't, always say I'll try". Carol closed her studio after 30 years and continued teaching part time for her daughter Penny who owned New England Dance Quarters. In her senior years, she continued tapping her feet teaching tap dance classes to the seniors at the Senior Center in Northampton. Her second love was her church family at College Church where her and Bob served for over 30 years hosting bible studies in their home. Carol was involved in the woman's ministry, hospitality, children's summer camp, church picnics. She was member of the choir and would serve at any opportunity presented. As Carol never liked the limelight, her wishes were to have no memorial services, which will be respected by her loving daughters. DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME OF NORTHAMPTON has been entrusted to handling all her arrangements. For more information or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com.

Carol (Soucie) Watelet

March 17, 1939 - April 20, 2024