Beloved Montgomery animal rescuer dies unexpectedly at age 55
Diane Butler, 55, died unexpectedly Jan. 22, according to her longtime partner, Beth Hyman.
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Loved ones and the Orange County animal rescue community are mourning the sudden loss of a beloved local rescuer, who co-owned an animal sanctuary in Montgomery.
Diane Butler, 55, died unexpectedly Jan. 22, according to her longtime partner, Beth Hyman.
Butler ran the 92-acre nonprofit Squirrelwood Animal Sanctuary on State Route 17K with Hyman for several decades where she cared for horses, cows, and other farm animals.
News 12 met the rescuers in 2023 when they rescued and cared for a sick cow, named Franklin.
"Diane was a fierce champion of kindness, fairness, and love towards all living creatures," says Hyman. "She strived for equality in all aspects of life and did the work of 10 people up until the minute she died."
A celebration of life is scheduled to be held at the sanctuary on May 3,1 and is open to those who wish to pay their respects and share their love for Diane, according to Hyman.
"Let us honor her magnificent legacy by rejecting hate, ignorance, and malice," says Hyman, "and focus on making the world a more beautiful place, as she did throughout her life and beyond."
