Queer Places:
Cimitero Evangelico degli Allori, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy

Mary Neil Buttles (September 28, 1861 – October 4, 1956) was born on September 28, 1861, in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, to Albert Barnes Buttles and Mary Elizabeth Ridgeway Buttles. She grew up alongside her sister, Jeannette Ridgeway Buttles (affectionately known as Janet or Nettie). Following the passing of their father in 1872, Mary and her sister Jeannette traveled abroad to Florence, Italy, to live with their mother.

As an artist, Mary pursued painting and drawing, capturing the scenery and cultural sights she encountered during her travels. Together with her sister, she also joined their aunt, Emma Buttles Andrews, on various journeys down the Nile river in Egypt. In Florence, Mary and Jeannette dedicated themselves extensively to charitable endeavors. In recognition of their dedicated public health and community service, the two sisters were honored by the Italian government in 1929 when they were awarded the Silver Medal of Merit.

Mary lived a long life residing in Italy, passing away on October 4, 1956, at the age of 95 in Florence. She was laid to rest at the Cimitero Evangelico degli Allori in Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy.

References:

• The Emma B. Andrews Diary Project: Biographical entry for Mary Neil Buttles hosted through the digital archive project (citing records for Mary Neil Buttles, including details on her relocation to Florence, her artwork, her travels with Emma Buttles Andrews down the Nile, and her public health recognition).
• Genealogical Records via Ancestry.com: Family tree records and historical clippings documenting her lineage, vital dates, and the 1929 Italian award ("US Girls Honored; Janet and Mary Buttles").
• Cimitero Evangelico degli Allori (Florence, Italy): Burial and cemetery interment records documenting her final resting place alongside her sister Jeannette, her mother Mary Ridgeway, and John Whaling Allen.

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