La Manzanilla lost a long time winter resident when Evelyn Butler died in Victoria BC on April 26 2026
Evy first came to La Manzanilla in the mid 80s when it was a very small fishing village. As with many who came later, she was enchanted by the place and the people, and returned regularly. In the early 2000s she acquired her “lot in the jungle” as she described it. The road came later, it is now Calle de la Madruga.
In 2005 she built Casa Jazmin, coming back-and-forth from Victoria to oversee construction, while also running the very successful business she founded, Boulevard magazine.
Evelyn‘s arrival in La Manzanilla set off a bit of a chain reaction that led to many of us, particularly those from southern Vancouver Island, discovering this beautiful place and making homes here.
Evelyn also made great long lasting friendships with local families, watching their children and grandchildren grow, considering them part of her family.
Evy was smart and independent. We will miss her sparkle, her kindness and her generosity, not to mention her famous and delicious gingerbread cake. She had many great stories about early expat life in La Manzanilla (I just wish she had written them down!)
So long old friend, it won’t be the same without you, but we will think of you often.