Laura Christine Buttner

Laura Christine (Chris) Buttner

Age 94, died peacefully in her sleep at Cayuga Medical Center on December 19, 2021, in Ithaca, NY following a courageous battle with COPD and pneumonia.

Chris was born on September 27, 1927, to parents Helen (Dorothy) and Harlow J. Stettner.  She was the third child in a family of four sisters (Connie, Joan, Shirley, Donna) and one brother (Alan).  The family initially grew up on a farm in Ogden, NY well known for commercially growing flowers for all occasions.  When Chris was in grade school, the family moved to their new home in Spencerport, NY.

Most remember our mother as a friendly, caring, and lovable woman who also appreciated a clever joke.   She touched many lives with her generosity.  Chris also loved a good card or word game, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and being with family and friends.

Recently, our mother surprised us with an interesting anecdote about her past.  During WWII, to get out of high school early, she took up a roll as Plane Spotter.  Later, she packed wadding in munitions for the war effort. 

Following graduation, Chris attended Brockport State teacher’s college, then worked at Eastman Kodak for several years.  In 1966 she began working as Transportation Assistant for the Spencerport Central School system where she remained until her retirement in 1983.

She married her Marine and life partner, Arthur (Bud) Buttner, in 1946.  In 1958 they moved to their first home on the corner of Union Street and Maplewood Ave in Spencerport, NY.

Chris was a congregant of the White Church (Congregational) in Spencerport and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Following her husband’s passing in 1983, “The Sisters” (Chris and Joan Knox) continued to live in Spencerport until Joan’s passing in 2017.  Chris later moved to Freeville, NY to be close to her sons.

Survived by her two sons, Brian Buttner (Lisa) and William Buttner (Cathy), five grandchildren (Lisa  Menagio, Ryan Buttner, Adam Buttner, Justin Buttner, and Caitlin Buttner), eight great grandchildren, and her beloved pet cat Molly.

The family would like to thank the nurses and physicians at CMC for their kind, compassionate and professional attention to mother through her transformation.

Chris will be interred with her husband in Spencerport in the summer of 2022 with a small gathering of her family and friends at the gravesite.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ASPCA of Tompkins County or the American Cancer Society.

To express condolences, visit www.perkinsfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura Christine Buttner, please visit our floral store.