Katherine Dena (Adams) Butterfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Avalon Springs Health Campus in Valparaiso. Kathy was born in Gary, Indiana, on April 26, 1944, but spent most of her infancy on an Army base in Abilene, Texas, where her father, Nick, was stationed in the U.S. Army. After her father was deployed to Europe, Kathy and her Mom, Dena, returned to Gary and lived in the upstairs apartment of her grandparents’ house. Her life in Gary was something that she always talked and reminisced about. From always being with family, especially her cousins, to Jr. GOYA , Maids of Athena, and Jr. Choir at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church with Father Spencer; and her time working at Comay’s Records on Broadway in downtown Gary. Kathy was a proud graduate of Horace Mann High School in 1962. She also was part of a singing group, The Cameos, with her friends Faye and MaryAng, known throughout the Region.
She attended IU Northwest and was the first woman graduate with a degree in accounting on her campus. In 1963, at a college party, she spotted her soon-to-be love of her life, David Butterfield, across the room. They went on to be married on September 3, 1967, and lived in Gary for short time until they moved to Valparaiso and started their life together. Theirs is a love story like no other, spanning over 60 years together, working together for decades, and with David being her primary caregiver in the end. David was attending law school and serving in the Indiana National Guard, in the late 60s, while Kathy was a Business teacher at Boone Grove High School. David then started practicing law in 1971, and Kathy “went to work for him temporarily while he looked for a secretary” and the rest was history, as they worked together in an office setting until 2020. They also served as the Mayor and First Lady of the City of Valparaiso from 1984 to 2003, and they owned and operated Temptations Gifts on Lincolnway in Valparaiso for 30 years, with the store being named after her favorite Motown singing group.
Kathy was passionate about her volunteer work, especially with the churches of St. Iakovos in Valparaiso and Saints Constantine & Helen in Merrillville, where she served as a choir member, Philoptochos member, Sunday School teacher, and Council member. With her husband and parents, the families were founding members of St. Iakovos Church. She was also involved in local politics, serving as the first female President of the Valparaiso Democrat party, and helped many young people in the area gain the courage to get involved and run for office. Kathy beat cancer in 1988 and became a volunteer for the Porter County Cancer Society, taking phone calls from women going through chemotherapy who needed a helpful ear and a shoulder to cry on. Through her love of singing and performing, she started the Talent Show at Northview Elementary School, and served as the coordinator for the Popcorn Festival Talent Show for 25 years. She was also a member of the Valparaiso Woman’s Association and coordinated their poetry contest for many years, started by her mother, a Poet Laureate.
Kathy and David raised their daughter, Deena, in Valparaiso, who has worked with the family businesses for 35 years and also works for Valparaiso Community Schools and the Post-Tribune. If you ask anyone, her pride and joy, was her granddaughter, Evyenia Katherine Butterfield, who is now a sophomore at Trine University studying life science education. Anyone who knew Kathy loved her, and they knew that she was never short on words and never short on giving her honest opinion. She would always be the first one to jump in to volunteer to help a friend or family member, and always did so with a full heart. Her last wish was that she wants everyone to remember a good and fun story about her, and not her illness at the end of her life, and she told Deena to make sure to “play her records, ” as Kathy has a wonderful album collection and loved listening to real vinyl.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Dena (Spaliaras) Adams; in-laws George “Bucky” and Christine Butterfield; Godfather, Andy Poulos; Aunts and Uncles, Goldie and Steve Souris, Bessie and Stratis Tachtiris, Tom and Bessie Spaliaras, Mike and Gladys Spaliaras, Dan and Stula Spaliaras, Alex and Irene Vagenas, Christine and Tony Zerites, Ann Kapotas, Spiro Kapotas; Cousins Georgia Huffman, Jeannie Spaliaras, and Peter Souris. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, David; daughter, Deena; granddaughter, Evyenia; Brothers-in-law George Butterfield and Mike (Jean) Butterfield; Nieces Amy (Ken) Kent and Julie (Ramon) Colcer; Great-Niece and Great-Nephew, Laura and Castor; Aunt, Gerry Spaliaras; Cousins Nick Spaliaras, Celeste (Larry) Hasara, Paulette (Patrick) Horrigan, Jim (Leah) Tachtiris, George (Jill) Tachtiris, Adrienne (Tim) Bires, Bill (Pam) Vagenas, and Lisa Souris; many Koumbari, and Godchildren ranging in age from 25 to 60; lifelong friends and co-workers; and dear friends, Irene Koulianos, Tessie Mangold, Connie Villeneuve and Sue Morgan.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the VNA of NWI, and the wonderful nursing and support staff at Avalon Manor, especially Betty, Felicia, Jordyn, and Cassie, who took care of her with love and treated her with dignity. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Kathy Adams Butterfield Memorial Fund, established at Centier Bank, to start a scholarship tradition for a young woman of Greek-American descent who shows promise in her career aspirations and volunteer organizations.
A visitation will be held Sunday from 1 – 5 pm at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso with Trisagion service beginning at 5:00 pm. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 am Monday directly at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville with burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery, Valparaiso. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Kathy Adams Butterfield Memorial Fund c/o Centier Bank.
GUESTBOOK
My sister from other parents. -Connie Villeneuve
My most sincere condolences. She was a great lady and will be missed by all who knew her. -Jerry Vagelatos
Mr. & Mrs. Butterfield had been very close friends with my mom and dad so that is how I came to know them both and their daughter. I can’t say enough about this family, so very kind and loving. Would give you the shirt off their back. Becoming Facebook friends with Mrs Butterfield I got to see her sense of humor and such a character. She will be deeply missed. Mayor Dave, you will always be Mayor Dave to me, you are in my thoughts and prayers. -Susan and Jack Gaul
Sweet, Charming, and most Beautiful Kathy. May you be at peace; sharing your musical knowledge with every Angel and Spirit watching over us. Your love will always be…loved. You are a Friend and even more importantly…FAMILY. Cherished. Forever. YOU! Rest in all your glorious power. Dave, Deena, Evy, Family, and Friends: Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences at this trying time. Sending all the love from the Pacific NW. Sincerely, -Stavros and Constantine
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your beautiful mother & Nona during this very difficult time. She was a beautiful lady & will be missed by many. Keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers. -Laura Morrison
Dear Dave and Deena, May memories of happy times you shared with your loving wife and mother bring smiles in the days ahead. She provides a legacy of giving joy to so many. All who have been blessed to know her are enriched. We share much with you dave.as graduates of VHS classes of ‘63 and ‘65….but the services of the law practice during a times of family loss were of great importance also. As we read the obituary which included your wedding date, we realized ours was a few days later…September 8th…1967. Precious memories indeed! Lovingly, -Jane (Weissert) and John Pinkerton
My deepest condolences to David and Deena and all who loved Kathy, she will be missed. May God surround you with his loving arms to comfort you in the days ahead and give you strength. -Lisa Souris
