Viola Peterson "Pete" Butzner, 89, of Richmond, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the Honorable John D. Butzner Jr.; her parents, George J. and Esther K. Peterson; and her brother, George E. Peterson.
She is survived by her son, Dr. J. Decker Butzner of Calgary, Alberta; her sisters-in-law, Kay S. Butzner of Lake Junaluska, N.C., and Doris E. Peterson of Providence, R.I.; her stepgrandsons, David G. Dunlop and Jesse M. Dunlop of Calgary, Alberta; and many nieces and nephews.
Pete, as she was known to all, was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1940. She entered graduate studies in fine arts at Yale University, where she received a fellowship to paint on location in Yucatan, Mexico.
Her graduate studies were interrupted by World War II, when she worked as a draftsman for the Grumman Aircraft and Engineering Corp., Long Island, N.Y., and for the Pan American Union, Washington, D.C.
She married John Butzner after they met at a party and were locked out of the apartment on the building's rooftop by perceptive relatives who thought they were perfect for one another. Pete was John's partner in his work to promote equality for all.
They moved to Fredericksburg in 1946, where she continued to paint and taught art history and art at Mary Washington College.
In 1962, the family moved to Richmond, where she taught art at Richmond Professional Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University until 1973. She was a volunteer for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1955 to 1967.
Pete was passionately interested in gardening, horticulture, hiking and travel- all of which contributed images for her photographs, oil paintings and silk screen prints.
The family extends special gratitude to Sadie Dabney and the professional caregivers at Mature Options for the extraordinary care they provided. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation for the Viola "Pete" Butzner Fund, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Va. 23220, or to the Hon. John D. Butzner Jr. Law Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o University of Virginia School of Law Foundation, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Va., 22903.
(courtesy of Wendy)
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the Honorable John D. Butzner Jr.; her parents, George J. and Esther K. Peterson; and her brother, George E. Peterson.
She is survived by her son, Dr. J. Decker Butzner of Calgary, Alberta; her sisters-in-law, Kay S. Butzner of Lake Junaluska, N.C., and Doris E. Peterson of Providence, R.I.; her stepgrandsons, David G. Dunlop and Jesse M. Dunlop of Calgary, Alberta; and many nieces and nephews.
Pete, as she was known to all, was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1940. She entered graduate studies in fine arts at Yale University, where she received a fellowship to paint on location in Yucatan, Mexico.
Her graduate studies were interrupted by World War II, when she worked as a draftsman for the Grumman Aircraft and Engineering Corp., Long Island, N.Y., and for the Pan American Union, Washington, D.C.
She married John Butzner after they met at a party and were locked out of the apartment on the building's rooftop by perceptive relatives who thought they were perfect for one another. Pete was John's partner in his work to promote equality for all.
They moved to Fredericksburg in 1946, where she continued to paint and taught art history and art at Mary Washington College.
In 1962, the family moved to Richmond, where she taught art at Richmond Professional Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University until 1973. She was a volunteer for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1955 to 1967.
Pete was passionately interested in gardening, horticulture, hiking and travel- all of which contributed images for her photographs, oil paintings and silk screen prints.
The family extends special gratitude to Sadie Dabney and the professional caregivers at Mature Options for the extraordinary care they provided. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation for the Viola "Pete" Butzner Fund, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Va. 23220, or to the Hon. John D. Butzner Jr. Law Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o University of Virginia School of Law Foundation, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Va., 22903.
(courtesy of Wendy)
Viola Peterson "Pete" Butzner, 89, of Richmond, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the Honorable John D. Butzner Jr.; her parents, George J. and Esther K. Peterson; and her brother, George E. Peterson.
She is survived by her son, Dr. J. Decker Butzner of Calgary, Alberta; her sisters-in-law, Kay S. Butzner of Lake Junaluska, N.C., and Doris E. Peterson of Providence, R.I.; her stepgrandsons, David G. Dunlop and Jesse M. Dunlop of Calgary, Alberta; and many nieces and nephews.
Pete, as she was known to all, was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1940. She entered graduate studies in fine arts at Yale University, where she received a fellowship to paint on location in Yucatan, Mexico.
Her graduate studies were interrupted by World War II, when she worked as a draftsman for the Grumman Aircraft and Engineering Corp., Long Island, N.Y., and for the Pan American Union, Washington, D.C.
She married John Butzner after they met at a party and were locked out of the apartment on the building's rooftop by perceptive relatives who thought they were perfect for one another. Pete was John's partner in his work to promote equality for all.
They moved to Fredericksburg in 1946, where she continued to paint and taught art history and art at Mary Washington College.
In 1962, the family moved to Richmond, where she taught art at Richmond Professional Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University until 1973. She was a volunteer for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1955 to 1967.
Pete was passionately interested in gardening, horticulture, hiking and travel- all of which contributed images for her photographs, oil paintings and silk screen prints.
The family extends special gratitude to Sadie Dabney and the professional caregivers at Mature Options for the extraordinary care they provided. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation for the Viola "Pete" Butzner Fund, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Va. 23220, or to the Hon. John D. Butzner Jr. Law Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o University of Virginia School of Law Foundation, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Va., 22903.
(courtesy of Wendy)
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the Honorable John D. Butzner Jr.; her parents, George J. and Esther K. Peterson; and her brother, George E. Peterson.
She is survived by her son, Dr. J. Decker Butzner of Calgary, Alberta; her sisters-in-law, Kay S. Butzner of Lake Junaluska, N.C., and Doris E. Peterson of Providence, R.I.; her stepgrandsons, David G. Dunlop and Jesse M. Dunlop of Calgary, Alberta; and many nieces and nephews.
Pete, as she was known to all, was born in Staten Island, N.Y., and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1940. She entered graduate studies in fine arts at Yale University, where she received a fellowship to paint on location in Yucatan, Mexico.
Her graduate studies were interrupted by World War II, when she worked as a draftsman for the Grumman Aircraft and Engineering Corp., Long Island, N.Y., and for the Pan American Union, Washington, D.C.
She married John Butzner after they met at a party and were locked out of the apartment on the building's rooftop by perceptive relatives who thought they were perfect for one another. Pete was John's partner in his work to promote equality for all.
They moved to Fredericksburg in 1946, where she continued to paint and taught art history and art at Mary Washington College.
In 1962, the family moved to Richmond, where she taught art at Richmond Professional Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University until 1973. She was a volunteer for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1955 to 1967.
Pete was passionately interested in gardening, horticulture, hiking and travel- all of which contributed images for her photographs, oil paintings and silk screen prints.
The family extends special gratitude to Sadie Dabney and the professional caregivers at Mature Options for the extraordinary care they provided. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation for the Viola "Pete" Butzner Fund, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Va. 23220, or to the Hon. John D. Butzner Jr. Law Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o University of Virginia School of Law Foundation, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Va., 22903.
(courtesy of Wendy)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
