Butt, Glenda Margaret

Halifax, NS

June 13, 1947 - January 03, 2026

The world lost a wonderful sweet soul, Glenda Margaret Butt, on Saturday, Jan 3/2026.

So much to remember… to celebrate… to give thanks for!! Glenda’s memory is alive in her family circle: partner Franklin VanBlarcom; Sisters: Judi Todd (Jim); Pix (Heather MacDougall); mother- in- law Madeline Moir; in laws – Donna Ekstedt (Jan); John and Yvonne; Stacey. Nieces/nephews: Heather, Hilary, Mia, Randi Marie, Kelsey, Jesse, Shyloh and their families; extended family in NL, England, Scotland, the US and so many circles of friends.

Family who predeceased her: Josie and Baron Butt; Gerald Moir; Stephen VanBlarcom.

Glenda grew up in Corner Brook, NL - first daughter of Josie and Baron and eldest sister to Judi and Pix. She was always active – basketball and Allied Youth, the church choir, teaching Sunday School and leading kids’ groups- plus being part of a high school group who knew how to have fun! Winter time brought skiing at Marble Mountain and ski doo jaunts into the woods with the parents for a “boil up” and lunch, as the wood was cut and stacked to take home. Summer time brought swimming at Bowater Stream (very cold!) and Pasadena Beach on the hot days.

Halifax took her away for Hygiene studies and then as Professor at the Hygiene School at Dalhousie. Another life to begin! She quickly became a part of the Unitarian Universalist Community in Halifax, taking on leadership roles locally and as President of the National Board of Trustees of the Canadian Unitarian Council. Her friendship circle grew to include a wonderful group of women in the city, that developed into life long connections that were cherished deeply.

Glenda was a long-time faculty member at the School of Dental Hygiene in the Faculty of Dentistry at Dalhousie University, where she served as Director from 1994 to 2007. A dedicated educator and tireless advocate for students, Glenda was widely respected for her commitment to teaching and mentorship.

Her contributions extended well beyond the Faculty of Dentistry. Glenda was known throughout the university community for her enthusiasm, persistence and service, having roles on numerous university committees, including the Senate. She was also actively involved in the Dalhousie Faculty Association bargaining unit and the Dalhousie Faculty Club/University Club.

Glenda’s leadership and dedication were recognized through several honours, including the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2003 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2009, acknowledging her lasting impact on the profession of dental hygiene.

Glenda’s vision was for a Bachelor of Dental Hygiene program. After many years of persistent work, the first students were accepted into this program in 2007–2008. Following her retirement, she continued her legacy of generosity and advocacy by establishing the Glenda M. Butt Bursary in Dental Hygiene, supporting future students entering the program she worked so passionately to create.

Alongside of her work, there was a very active life.

Glenda was an incredibly positive spirit with a smile that could welcome and melt you. She was a warm, loving person who so cared about the welfare of others, the environment and humanity as a whole. Glenda supported many justice seeking causes.

In her life she had been very active in sports including basketball, roller skating, squash, tennis, swimming, golf, downhill skiing, skating and hiking.

Her love of life was infectious to people around her. You knew when Glenda was in the room. She was an intelligent woman with an unwavering moral compass.

She was an artist in the kitchen, to the smallest of detail, one of her loves in life.

Her other love was Franklin, her partner of 40 years, with whom she travelled and explored different corners of the world, spontaneously making decisions on the fly. Always fairly basic and simple but immeasurably rewarding. Cycling, hiking, or snorkeling, she was an off-road adventurer by heart, with camera and binoculars.

Some highlights: cycling Turkey, pyramids of Giza, Cycling Easter Island, hiking the Inca Trail, inside Yasur volcano of Vanuatu (hot!) , Hiking New Zealand and Tasmania, diving on The Great Barrier reef, hiking the Dolomiti in Italy, canoeing Mekong River, Thailand, the Mayan ruins of Tekal, Guatemala, sky diving in Brisbane, immersed in the night skies of the southern hemisphere, to name a few!

On the home front her Newfoundland roots saw her hiking The Long Range and North Rim grueling wilderness trails in Gros Morne. The rustic camp on Falls Lake, N.S. was a retreat Glenda and Franklin have enjoyed for years. Bonfires, reading, writing, music, creative meals, water sports and star gazing, nature, the darkness and the silence.

Glenda lived such a rich life, loved, was loved. Her spirit is now lighting up the darkness and the silence, joining the energy of the universe.

A gift can be made in Glenda’s memory to the Bursary she created, by contacting The Office of Advancement, Dalhousie University. (Glenda M. Butt Bursary in Dental Hygiene).

Butt, Glenda Margaret