Nancy Byron Buterbaugh

Nancy Byron Buterbaugh, 85, passed away peacefully from complications of a fall on Sunday morning, June 11, 2023.

Nancy was born July 7, 1937 to the late Edward and Mabel Byron in Pittsburgh, PA.

In childhood, Nancy loved the cherry tree in her yard where she would climb, hide, and eat cherries. She was also in charge of the family chickens. She was an honor student in high school where she attended sock hops, was active in her church, worked at a soda counter making milk shakes and ice cream treats. She graduated from East McKeesport High School.

Nancy attended Mount Union College where she graduated with a BS in Elementary Education in 1959, cum laude. She married her husband, Dr. John C. Buterbaugh, on August 17th, 1958. They had known each other from church prior to college, but found each other at a fraternity party/open house and started dating shortly after.

After graduation, Nancy was a 4th grade teacher in Pennsauken, New Jersey from 1958-1961. She worked hard to support putting her husband through medical school. She lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio prior to moving to Africa.

Nancy lived in Rhodesia, Africa (now Zimbabwe) from 1967-1971 and 1991-1997. While in Zimbabwe, she raised and homeschooled her children, went on camping trips, taught English to students and teachers in the high school, taught computer usage to hospital secretaries, organized mission work and study teams from the United States, and was a liaison between the Nurse Mother, the Administrator, and the Medical Superintendent of Nyadire United Methodist Hospital. She continued mission work throughout her life including giving talks and taking trips.

In 1971 she moved to Waynesburg, PA where she lived until 1991. Nancy’s proudest accomplishment was her family. She was always loving, giving, and instilled a strong work ethic. She was adventurous, always positive, and fought for justice and peace. She ran a strict household focusing on love and education. Her children have fond memories of shopping together, big holiday meals, traveling, and spa time. She gave good advice, provided constant support, and always made time for her family.

After her second residency in Africa, she moved to Kayenta, AZ and then Las Vegas, NV where she and her husband retired.

Nancy, also known as Grammy, loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren fondly recall shopping, pedicures, celebrating birthdays, special meals, traveling with well-thought-out itineraries, coin collecting, orange cookies, playing games, 1000+ piece puzzles, and just spending time together. She was trustworthy, had a great sense of humor, and was giving of her time and resources. She always put others before herself.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mabel Byron, her brother Richard Byron, and her son-in-law Rev. J. Neal Lassinger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 64 years, Dr. John C. Buterbaugh; her children, Lori Lassinger, John Buterbaugh (Kristen), and Susan Yetter (Brad); eight grandchildren, Anna LeBlanc (Michael), Natalie Young (Jonathan), Ian Buterbaugh (Brittany), Timothy Yetter, Lucas Buterbaugh (Laura),  Nathan Buterbaugh, Mitchell Yetter, and Christopher Buterbaugh; six great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Nathaniel, and Mabel Kauzlarich, Clara LeBlanc, Leah and Joelle Young.

A memorial service will be held this Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 at 11AM at First Henderson United Methodist Church in Henderson, NV.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial gifts be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Please write: “#999895-UMCOR Where Most Needed” on the memo line and include a note that your donation is made in memory of Nancy Buterbaugh.

UMCOR - Global Ministries (umcmission.org)