Endicott native shares her story as a Central Intelligence Agency Spy

ENDICOTT, N.Y. (WBNG) -- On a dead-end street in Endicott, Ann Butler grew up to be a mother, wife and CIA spy, leaving her to live a life full of sacrifices.

“With a two-career family, it’s tough and Joe was willing to use his engineering degree, but it was tough to find a new job every time we moved,” Butler said.

From a coach bag being re-worked to hold her Glock, to her water breaking while picking up a colleague at the airport, Butler’s life has been all but ordinary. Being an undercover spy, needing to wear disguises and work under fake names, got stressful at times.

“I was on this long train ride,” Butler said. “I was afraid I was going to go into labor and I had to think about what I was going to do if I did go into labor because I wasn’t in my true name, I would only be able to pay in cash for medical emergencies and more importantly to me I had a meeting with my agent.”

Butler was in Bosnia for four months. She told 12 News that it was difficult not to be able to communicate with her family.

“At that time, the two oldest children were tiny, and I was far away, and doing some quite remarkable work and seeing some incredible sacrifices that the Bosnian people were encountering,” Butler said.

If there was one way to describe Butler, her husband Joe Potak said it’s easy.

“Strong-willed,” Potak said. “A go-getter, a real go-getter, but strong-willed.”

After Butler retired in 2013, she started writing her book Wife, Mother, Spy. It is now out and available for purchase.

Ann will be at the Vestal Barnes and Noble for a book signing on June 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For the full interview with Ann and Joe, follow this link.

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