Mary Jo Butterfield

November 24, 1936 - October 30, 2013

Makah tribal elder Mary Jo Butterfield passed away on October 30, 2013, after being involved in a car accident.

She was born on November 24, 1936, in Port Angeles to Joseph and Pearl June (Warren) Hall.

In her 81 years, she blessed each community she belonged to with her generous and kind spirit. She was the rare kind of person who could maintain friendships across generations and decades. Many of her friendships lasted more than 40 years and never diminished in value or closeness.

Mary Jo was a Makah tribal elder from the Landes Kallappa family on the Makah Reservation. Pearl Warren, Mary Jo's mother, passed on a dedication to service to the Native American community, and Joseph Hall, her father, was Jamestown S'Klallam. Mary Jo remained close to family in Sequim.

Mary Jo received her GED and continued to pursue several years in college and more than 30 years of courses and workshops in health, education and welfare. She was a person of continual growth and discovery, and she shared this with the people she worked with in the Seattle Public School system while working in Native American student outreach.

After working in Seattle, she found herself working in Kinaechitopi Indian health center.

Mary Jo thrived in her 30 years working for the Makah tribe in Neah Bay as an administrator, tribal representative and small-business owner.

Mary Jo was married twice, once to Ralph White and once to George Butterfield.

She had more than 40 years of experience with tribal and Native American programs in health, education, social services and youth programs. A former Makah Tribal Council member, she was dedicated to Native child welfare, education and health programs.

Mary Jo's dedication to her community was best exemplified by her work as a foster parent. She fostered 53 children during her lifetime.

Mary Jo was Presbyterian and a member of the Makah Senior Citizens Advisory Board, the Makah Enrollment Committee and the Americans for Indian Opportunity. She was a former Makah Tribal Council member and for more than 30 years was a committee member to dozens of other tribal, state and federal boards.

She leaves behind her daughter, Donna Scott of Neah Bay; and adopted daughters Patti Elofson of Port Angeles, and Rachel Venski and Josi Irving, both of Neah Bay. She also leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Y. Marie Butterfield of Neah Bay.

She also leaves behind her brother, retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Hall and his wife, Katie Hall.

Her grandchildren, who brought her so much joy, include Sarah Ticishway Krieger, Angie Shippentower, Robin Butterfield Jr., Travis Butterfield, Jesse Schmidt, Jake Butterfield, Angie and Steve and Jessie Elofson, and James Krieger. Her great-grandchildren include Carson Tholt, Brison and Kaedan Butterfield, Jessiah Butterfield, Ruby Schmidt, Naomi Jim, Damien Wesley, Jason Kim, John Jim and Juinevere Wesley; and her great-grandchildren include Michael Wesley and Patrick Wesley II.

Mary Jo also leaves behind dozens or relatives from nearby tribes and the Makah tribe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Carl Warren; sons Robin Butterfield Sr. and Ralph Butterfield; son-in-law Gib Scott; and infant great-grandson Elisha Gib Scott.

A memorial service in her honor was held Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Makah Community Gym in Neah Bay. She was laid to rest at Neah Bay Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made directly to the family care of Mary Jo's daughter, Donna Scott, P.O. Box 25, Neah Bay, WA 98357.