Niles lost one of its most influential and respected leaders this week with the passing of Nancy Butler at the age of 74.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Butler moved to Niles in 1978 and quickly made her mark by devoting her time and resources to dozens of businesses, government work and service organizations.

“I don’t know if there is anyone in recent years that has had more of an impact on so many aspects of Niles,” said Lisa Croteau, Butler’s friend and program manager of Niles DDA Main Street. “If there was something that needed to be done, Nancy was most likely involved.”

A realtor by trade, Butler was the owner and broker of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Specialists in Niles. She was so well respected in her profession that she earned the title of Realtor of the Year in 1997 and the President’s Cup in 2004 by the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors.

The local chamber of commerce named Butler its Woman of the Year in 1997 and presented her with a lifetime achievement award in 2007.

In recognition of her countless hours of service, Butler received in 1996 the Upton Volunteer of the Year award, which is given to outstanding volunteers in Berrien County.

Friend Rob Habicht, who served on multiple boards with Butler, said she would be the first to downplay her many awards, wanting to be known more as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Butler’s legacy, Habicht said, is that she is one of Niles’ special benefactors.

“She truly liked to help others, and had the ability and resources to make a difference,” said Habicht, president of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. “She believed strongly in using her resources to better her community, and was a generous giver of both her time and money to a wide range of organizations, causes and projects.”

Niles Mayor Mike McCauslin also said Butler’s legacy lies in her volunteer work.

“Nancy’s capacity for service was endless,” he said. “She has touched a lot of lives in our community.”

Friends of Butler said she would be missed for her smile, optimism, energy and her ability to give an honest opinion no matter what the situation.

Croteau said she lost a mentor and a friend.

“It was a blessing and a privilege to have her call me her friend,” she said. “I will miss her.”

“Nancy may be gone, but her example lives on,” Habicht said. “She certainly inspired me to do good.”