Lucy E. Butterfield

Obituary

Lucy E. Butterfield passed away on May 15, 2022 in Pueblo, CO. She was 88. Born Lucy Elma Shepard, she embodied the characteristics of a traditional southern belle—charming, social, and beautiful—even though she left her native North Carolina at a young age. She was energetic and active for her entire life and was always ready to hunt for antiques or a good game of bridge. Lucy will be remembered for her outgoing nature and her devout Christian faith. Lucy was born on August 30, 1933, to Jay Sylvester Shepard and Dossie Hudson. Her family lived near Turkey Creek—just north of Wilmington, North Carolina—where she led a free-spirited childhood roaming the woods and waters with her siblings. It was there that she met John S. Butterfield, a young Marine based in Camp Lejeune, and they were married a short time later on December 10, 1949. They left soon thereafter to move to John’s hometown of Wichita, KS, and a variety of career opportunities pulled them slowly westward across the United States. They built an incredible life together over the next 62 years of their marriage, and they were happily married until John’s death in 2012. All three of their children were born in Wichita, but Lucy and John decided to move to Salida, CO in 1963. They immediately founded the highly successful Patio Pancake Place restaurant, which they operated until 1976 when they sold it to pursue other interests. John was a lifelong entrepreneur, and he and Lucy shifted their interests towards real estate and land investment in both Colorado and New Mexico. This allowed them to spend much of their remaining lives traveling the country. Whether enjoying the beaches of Florida, camping through the mountains in their RV, or traveling to Alaska on a cruise, she and John were always searching for adventure and variety. Lucy is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jay and Cyndy Butterfield, Neva Butterfield, and John "Mitch" and Ginger Butterfield. Additionally, Lucy had seven grandchildren, Jason Butterfield, Jacob Butterfield, Tracy Verzi, John Bittner, Sean Butterfield, Austin Butterfield, and Chantel Butterfield as well as seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both parents and her siblings. Memorial services will be held at the Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home, in Salida, CO, on May 24 at 1:00 pm.

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