'She had the biggest heart': Saskatoon mother of 6 children and cancer survivor unexpectedly dies
The Saskatoon mother of six children, 12-year-old quintuplets and a 14-year-old adopted son, died the evening of June 7.
Sage Butler’s death was unexpected and the cause is unknown, but family say results of an autopsy will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Amber Biemans, who knew Butler through dancing, says she had a “unique character” and that she was more giving than people would expect.
“The fact that she could be so giving at that level with six children was just to me, inspiring and astounding because I have three children and I definitely couldn’t manage a fraction of what she does for the community,” Biemans told CTV News.
She says Butler would provide support for multiple fundraisers when it came to finances, lunches and more without even knowing them.
“You really notice it in her kids as well, that’s just how she’s raised them. They would be at old folks homes spending time with the eldery, they would be taking food to people that were sick with cancer.”
BUTLER A 'NURTURING' MOM
Butler was a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2017 and was cleared in early 2018 after three surgeries, according to her ex-husband Blair Butler.
Blair, who shares custody of their children, says taking on sole responsibility for them will be hard, calling Butler “so nurturing.”
“I could never take over for what she did, she was so organized and so caring, she always put those kids first,” Blair said.
Blair says he’s going to try his best but doesn’t think he can fill her shoes because it’s “mindblowing” how much she did for them.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover costs for the children, something Blair says is greatly appreciated.
“Anything that is raised is going directly to the kids and for them to possibly do something that they can cherish their memory of their mom forever,” he said.
Trena and Abraham Gomez also knew Butler. They met her in 2016 through dancing and say she paired the couple together in class, which led to their marriage and her being a part of the bridal party.
DANCE PLANNED IN HER HONOUR
Trena describes Butler as an “amazing person” who knew many people from volunteering.
“She had the biggest heart.”
The couple says they were in “disbelief” when they heard the news of her death as it was sudden.
“Last week when I was talking to her she was in the best time of her life, and she’s been through some pretty rough times with cancer and other things and she couldn’t be happier,” Trena told CTV News.
Abraham says he couldn’t believe it because he was texting her the day she died.
Blair says the family has no plans for any funeral arrangements, but is planning something she had wanted when she was going through her cancer treatment.
“She wanted a huge dance in her honour, so once we get through these COVID restrictions, that’s what we’re going to do in the mid to late summer. That’s what she wanted.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.