Debra Lillian Butler

Deb was born and raised in Berkeley, Illinois, the middle child of the late Lucille and Francis Filip. She and her four brothers—Alan, Jerry, Scott, and Glenn—were blessed with a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. After graduating Proviso West High School, Deb started her career in retail at Carson Pirie Scott department stores. There, she met an aspiring assistant store manager named Bruce in July 1980. It was a whirlwind romance, and they married in January 1981.

Deb eventually left her retail career to be a stay-at-home mom to the couple's three children, Kate, Kerry, and Kyle. When the family moved to the Valley View neighborhood in 1987, she became active in Arbor View School life, where she was active in the PTC, Arbor View basketball, and Girl Scouts. Her love of volunteering for the school led her to serve on the District 89 school board for several years.

In the early 2000s, Deb re-entered the work force at the Illinois Hospital Association as an accounting specialist, and she remained there for almost 20 years. She retired in 2019.

Deb loved her kids, her new granddaughter Natalie, and her Valley View girls; the endless stream of dogs and cats in her life; and hosting in-home events for family and friends. She loved reading, especially mystery novels; jigsaw puzzles; Lifetime and Hallmark movies; and board and computer games.

She loved to cook, especially with wine, and sometimes even put it in the food.

And she loved a good cosmo or glass of chardonnay, early and often.

A good friend often said, “Everybody loves Deb.” Her Valley View girls showed that love with their endless support during her battle with cancer.

Deb is survived by her loving husband Bruce, children Kate, Kerry and Kyle; granddaughter Natalie; brothers Scott and Glenn (and his wife Carol); and a host of loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

We will miss Deb and treasure her all-too-short time with us. “Everybody loved Deb.”

No immediate service is planned. A Celebration of Life is being planned for the near future.

In lieu of flowers, do something Deb loved: read a good book, snuggle with a favorite pet, break bread with your friends and family, hug your kids, or pour a nice glass of wine in her memory.