On February 9, 2007, Susan Butler received the Order of Canada in a ceremony in Ottawa. With this award, the highest Canada offers her citizens, Susan was recognized for her 25 years of service as director of the Miramichi Folksong Festival, her fundraising initiatives which have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars both locally and internationally, including the Canadian Red Cross, local high schools, the Alzheimer Society. In two eight-hour non-stop music concerts, Susan raised money for victims of war in Kosovo, and $20,000 for hurricane relief in the aftermath of Katrina in the southern United States. Susan was the first Miramicher to earn this award.

To end 2007, Susan was awarded the Order of New Brunswick in Fredericton. May of 2008 , Susan received the Minister of Tourism Award for New Brunswick in Moncton.

Susan was born and raised in Miramich and attended St. Mary's Convent in Newcastle. She trained as a Practical Nurse at the Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Cambellton and returned to Miramichi in 1971 to marry the love of her life, Jack Butler,no relation, from Barnaby. They have been married for 36 years and have two daughters, Kathleen and Shannon.

Music has been a main part of Susan's life and she has eight recordings to her credit, has been inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and the New Brunswick Gospel Hall of Fame, recipient of the Paul Harris medel, Melven Jones and many other awards. Susan Retired in 2005 after 38 years in healthcare from Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home as Director of Activties, Pastoral Care and Volunteers. She has directed the Miramichi Folksong Festival for 26 years.