Obituary for Lisa M. Butterfield
Lisa M. Butterfield, 51, lost her courageous, two-decades long battle with cancer Fri., Dec. 11, 2020. She passed away peacefully at home in Naples, Florida, with friends and family, including her beloved daughter Paige Butterfield, by her side.
She was born in Rockford, Illinois, the younger of two daughters to Anita and David Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Paige Butterfield, both parents, sister Lauri (Andrew) McKay and their children Lauren and Hunter.
Special thank you to Gail Thompson and uncle Bob Beckenbaugh.
To many, Lisa’s life seemed too short, but she spent quality time with quality people—and animals. She had a smile that would light up the room. She was a loving mother, devoted teacher and fierce animal advocate.
In the classroom, Lisa was known by her students as a fun-loving teacher who made her classes entertaining, often weaving creativity and humor into her daily lessons. Lisa took pride in her strong work ethic, juggling the demands of cancer therapies, motherhood, running half marathons, and a teaching career. She felt blessed to have the support of her principal and teacher friends throughout her battle with cancer.
Paige was Lisa’s biggest supporter and best friend. Since first grade, Paige, now 28, fought side-by-side with her mom. Paige was with Lisa, caregiving, until her final moments.
Feline friends Oreo, Kiki and Calvin as well as her rescue dog and best-pal Buddy provided Lisa immense joy and comfort during her illness. Lisa credited animals—especially Jewel, a friend’s German Shepherd—in helping her defy the medical odds. All the walks, naps and cuddles of her beloved pets soothed the pain and challenges that cancer brought about.
Lisa also found comfort in these words:
“Be kind to people and animals too. Laugh a lot. Just tell the truth. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. Clean up your own mess. Wish upon a star. Please your dentist and floss your teeth. Read a good book or two. (And read to a child!) Good health is priority No. 1. Lend a hand. Give blood. Call your mom and dad, or kids. Be a friend. Take the dog for long walks and smile at whom you meet. Don’t drink and drive. Let art color your life. Be gentle with the earth. Cut the drama, and don’t go to extremes. Never look back unless you are planning to go there. Give thanks.”
Lisa loved animals and hoped that this compassion would forever live on in the hearts of those who cherished her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Humane Society Naples. A celebration of life will take place in 2021. More details to come.
She was born in Rockford, Illinois, the younger of two daughters to Anita and David Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Paige Butterfield, both parents, sister Lauri (Andrew) McKay and their children Lauren and Hunter.
Special thank you to Gail Thompson and uncle Bob Beckenbaugh.
To many, Lisa’s life seemed too short, but she spent quality time with quality people—and animals. She had a smile that would light up the room. She was a loving mother, devoted teacher and fierce animal advocate.
In the classroom, Lisa was known by her students as a fun-loving teacher who made her classes entertaining, often weaving creativity and humor into her daily lessons. Lisa took pride in her strong work ethic, juggling the demands of cancer therapies, motherhood, running half marathons, and a teaching career. She felt blessed to have the support of her principal and teacher friends throughout her battle with cancer.
Paige was Lisa’s biggest supporter and best friend. Since first grade, Paige, now 28, fought side-by-side with her mom. Paige was with Lisa, caregiving, until her final moments.
Feline friends Oreo, Kiki and Calvin as well as her rescue dog and best-pal Buddy provided Lisa immense joy and comfort during her illness. Lisa credited animals—especially Jewel, a friend’s German Shepherd—in helping her defy the medical odds. All the walks, naps and cuddles of her beloved pets soothed the pain and challenges that cancer brought about.
Lisa also found comfort in these words:
“Be kind to people and animals too. Laugh a lot. Just tell the truth. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. Clean up your own mess. Wish upon a star. Please your dentist and floss your teeth. Read a good book or two. (And read to a child!) Good health is priority No. 1. Lend a hand. Give blood. Call your mom and dad, or kids. Be a friend. Take the dog for long walks and smile at whom you meet. Don’t drink and drive. Let art color your life. Be gentle with the earth. Cut the drama, and don’t go to extremes. Never look back unless you are planning to go there. Give thanks.”
Lisa loved animals and hoped that this compassion would forever live on in the hearts of those who cherished her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Humane Society Naples. A celebration of life will take place in 2021. More details to come.