Lella Butner Dvorak

Lella was born in Miami Beach, Florida on October 24, 1949 to Whitley and Lois Butner. Lella spent most of her life in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School in 1967. She attended Pfeiffer College in North Carolina. In 1972 Lella married Thomas Alan Dvorak with whom she had two children, Thomas Whitley Dvorak and Philip Alan Dvorak.

She worked as a school Administrator at St. Mark's Episcopal School, and was a member of the Coral Ridge Junior Woman’s Club, and the Charity Guild of Ft. Lauderdale. Lella loved animals. There wasn't a dog, cat, or turtle that she couldn't befriend. Always thoughtful, Lella was the glue that kept her family together, faithfully remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special moments. She made friends easily and was excellent at keeping in touch with loved ones across the country. Even during her final days, she was still writing messages of love and support to friends and family. It was impossible not to love her. She supported everyone in the family when challenges arose. With exceptional devotion, she nursed her parents during their final illnesses. She had a very close relationship with her sisters whom she loved dearly, as well as her nieces and nephew whom she treasured.

Lella moved to Santa Clarita, California in 2017 to be close to her new grandchildren Whitley and William. She adored her grandsons and was always showering them with cards, gifts, jokes, attention, and love. In 2024 she moved to Westminster, Colorado to again be close to her beloved family. She lived at Hyland Hills assisted living where she made new friends easily, as always, and enjoyed socializing.

Lella took lifelong comfort in the Episcopal Church and was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Ft. Lauderdale and St. Stephens Episcopal in Santa Clarita, CA. A member of “Daughter’s of the King,” Lella was a person who lived out her faith.

Lella suffered many health challenges in her later years and faced them with uncommon courage. Through difficult days, she still took joy in simple things like an amaryllis on the windowsill or a cup of Peet's Coffee in the morning.

Lella is survived by her two sons, Thomas Whitley Dvorak of Santa Clarita, CA and Philip Alan Dvorak of Westminster, Colorado; grandsons Whitley James Dvorak and William Pierce Dvorak; daughter-in-law Cynthia Swaeby Dvorak; sister Trudy Krisher of Columbus, Ohio; sister Gayle Watts of Hopkins, South Carolina; nieces Laura Krisher and Kate McKee of Columbus, Ohio; nephew Mark Krisher of Seattle, Washington; cousins Steven and Drane Reynolds; and ex-husband Thomas Alan Dvorak of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite charity.