Mary Margaret Butterfield was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 28, 1939. She graduated from Camelback High School in 1957. A first generation American, Mary made Phoenix her home, started a family, and worked for decades at the Arizona Department of Insurance until she retired in 2013.
Mary was known to her family and many friends as a loving mother and a loyal friend. She cared about her community and her neighbors, and she donated much of her time and energy to help various charities. Mary had a fun and clever sense of humor as well as a no-nonsense approach to life.
She enjoyed being with her family and friends, traveling, and supporting the arts. In her retirement years, Mary took on a new role as a grandmother who adored her grandson and filled her family with enough love to last a lifetime.
Mary passed away on July 16, 2020. She spent her final days visiting with friends and family. She will always be missed and never forgotten. Mary Butterfield is survived by her two sons, Michael and Timothy, her daughter-in-law Laurel, and grandson Henry. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Cheryl Hall Meade
Words cannot express my feelings of love and gratitude towards you, Mary.
Doug Ullrich
I was deeply saddened to hear that Mary passed away. Mary was my boss (or the boss of my boss) for a number of years at the ADOI. In my 40 years of working, she was my best boss. Whip-smart with an encyclopedic memory and eminently fair, nice, great sense of humor, a wonderful mentor who taught me so much. She will be greatly missed by so many. My condolences to her family. Go Spartans!
Jan Zingerman
Mary and I have been friends for a long time. Our careers interacted, and she exhibited wisdom, integrity and humor. She was a classy lady, and I will miss her.
Christina
Dear Timothy, Michael, and family, my deepest most heartfelt condolences to you. Mary was a wonderful and supportive friend to my mother for so many years, and we knew we could always count on her for sage advice, good company, and a great Christmas Eve celebration. She will be forever close and loved in your hearts and in mine. Love, Christina
James Dargavel
Mary was an inspiration to all that knew her. She was my boss and my friend. I will miss her.
Sharon Pasley
Mary was just a great lady. She started out as my boss, but soon became a great friend. I thought so highly of her. Mary loved her family so much. I know this is a great loss and my prayers are with you.
Chuck Cohen
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Mary during my time working at the ADOI. I always found her to be an island of calm, positive, practical, problem-solving collaboration, no matter how choppy the surrounding seas. She was a uniter, and led by example. I valued Mary’s smarts, experience, knowledge and understanding. And I admired how she treated everyone with patience, empathy and compassion. She got along with anyone who was willing to get along with her. All my memories of Mary are pleasant. Best wishes to the Butterfield family in their time of loss.
Linda Hofman
My heart goes out to Mary’s family. I worked at the ADOI for over 25 years in the field (Market Conduct Division) and although I did not work in her department I found her to be very kind and understanding.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. God bless you all. Linda Hofman
Georgine Downey
Dear Michael, Timothy and family;
My heartfelt condolences to all of you in your time of loss. You 2 boys were quite young the last time I saw you. My name is Georgine Downey, I am a daughter of Dorothy and Leon Razee, we know this is a great loss and our prayers are with you.
Charlie Smith Class of 1956
My prayers are with Mary’s family and loved ones—-Mary kept the Camelback classes of 1956 and 1957 in line