Zona Butler Gallo

1939 - 2022

Zona Gail Butler Gallo, 80, of Humble, TX, passed away on June 16, 2020, following a tough fight with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was born in Hardinsburg, KY on September 20, 1939 to the late Tom and Mildred Butler and lived in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Florida before retiring to Texas.

Zona was a naturally talented customer service professional and enjoyed a nearly 30-year career with Eastern Airlines as a reservationist in Chicago and Tampa. She later transferred to Miami for a new role on the System One help desk and then handled customer complaints for Eastern's Executive Office. After Eastern closed, Zona brought her talents to the airline shuttle and cruise industries.

She took pride in her career, but Zona always said her most important role in life was as a mother. She supported her girls in everything they did while providing gentle guidance and was quick to point out the silver linings in all of life's challenges. Her daughters cherish countless memories of Girl Scout camping trips, dance recitals, and seashell collecting on Florida beaches with their mother.

In her early 50s, Zona moved back to her mother's home in Hammond, IN to finish her college degree. She proudly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in 1997, followed by a Master's of Science in Education in 2003.

During this time, she worked as a behavioral health advisor at St. Margaret's Hospital where her compassion, creativity, and many years of Girl Scout Leader experience enabled her to skillfully help many struggling kids and adolescents.

In 2004, Zona retired to Humble with her mother to be closer to her daughter and grandsons while enjoying the sunny weather she had missed since leaving Florida. In her new home, she loved gardening in her yard and attending art classes at the senior center. But she also missed using her customer service skills so she worked part-time as a hostess for local builders, welcoming potential buyers and showing model homes, for more than 10 years. She took great pride in her work and delighted in her role in helping to make a sale!

Zona was thrilled to become a Mamaw five times; her grandchildren exemplify the kindness and generosity she demonstrated throughout her life.

Zona will rest in peace near her parents and younger brother Ken at Harned Cemetery in Kentucky. There will be a celebration of life with family and friends in Falls of Rough, KY from 9-11am on Friday, June 17, 2022, followed by a graveside service at 11:30am.

Zona is survived by her loving daughters Sabra Gallo (Fred Post) and Vanessa Jones (Robert), five wonderful grandchildren, and other beloved family members and dear friends in Texas, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. She had a fierce love for her family and friends and we're all the better for it.

We will always remember Zona's soft spot for animals, especially those in need of a loving home. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to remember her with a donation to Breckinridge County Animal Friends, PO Box 301, Harned, KY 40144.