Judith E. Butler

Judith Elaine (Reis) Butler, of West Mifflin, Age 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 14, 2022.  Judie was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Dale and Ida Mae Reis, her sister Joan Marilyn Bekavac, and her husband, J. Douglas Butler.  She is survived by her daughter, Christine Elaine Barr (Ronald) Kalnas, her sister, Carole Ann O’Leska, her brother C. Dale (Kathy) Reis, nieces Deborah Bekavac, Denise O’Leska, and Megan (Mike) King, nephews Thomas Bekavac, Joseph (Heidi) O’Leska and grand-nieces Emma King, Lila King, and Vera King.

Judie graduated from Clairton High School and worked as an office assistant at Thorofare Markets in Caste Village for nearly 20 years.  She was a passionate believer in education and put her daughter, Christine, through college at Penn State University.  Christine graduated with a BS in Metallurgy and ultimately graduated with a PhD in Materials Engineering from the University of Michigan.  After the sudden death of her husband, Doug, Judie pursued her lifelong dream of a college education for herself.  She worked as a nursing assistant while attending CCAC.  Judie graduated magna cum laude with an Associate in Science, and then passed her state board exam to become a registered nurse.  While working full-time at UPMC Braddock Hospital, she attended Carlow College where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1994.  Judie loved taking care of her patients and spent her 20-year career at UPMC Braddock in various departments: ER, Medical-Surgical, Oncology, and Psychiatry/Detox. 

Judie was strong and hard-working, as well as fun, kind, and vibrant.  She was a loving and generous mother, caring sister and daughter, exceptional cook and gardener, and an exemplary nurse.  Judie thoroughly enjoyed outdoor gardening and home interior design, Broadway shows, the Pittsburgh Pops Symphony, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates games, family vacations at the beach, and bargain shopping with her daughter.  Her greatest joy was cooking, baking, and entertaining her family and friends.  Judie’s motto was ‘Food is Love,’ and she provided both quantity (always more than enough for twice the number attending) and, especially, quality and creativity.  Judie loved nothing better than to peruse her many cookbooks and Bon Appetit magazines, creating culinary treasures for all who were lucky enough to be at her table.

A Public Viewing will be held at George Irvin Green Funeral Home, 3511 Main Street, Munhall, PA 15120 from 2 – 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.  A Funeral Service is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 2800 Old Elizabeth Rd, West Mifflin, PA 15122 EVERYONE PLEASE MEET IN CHURCH.  Contributions may be made to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or United Way, Contributor Choice Code No. 233.