Lowell Anne Butson's Obituary
Sometime in the early morning hours of January 5, the bright light that was the life of Lowell Anne Butson dimmed as she suddenly and unexpectedly died of natural causes. We say dimmed, not died, since that light will remain in the minds and hearts of her family, her myriad friends, and her community as a result of all that she shared with us.Born November 29, 1946 in Tacoma, she was the daughter of prominent attorney Robert Young and Amy Lou Young, she a member of the well known L.T. Murray family. Raised in Lakewood with her brother David, she was educated at Annie Wright School, the Shipley School, and received her degree in Elementary and Physical Education from the University of Washington in 1969. Lowell and her devoted husband, Jack, met during their high school years, were married in 1969, established their home in Lakewood, and have resided there since. Son, Todd, daughter, Amy, and recent grandchildren, Tyler and Kate, are their treasures.An exceptional athlete until recent years, Lowell maintained a single digit golf handicap, won her club championship (beating her mother along the way), and played a competitive game of tennis, all after suffering serious injuries in 1970 which caused her to endure significant pain the rest of her life.Sharing the benefits of being part of an affluent family was a constant activity. Over the years, she and Jack entertained many of their friends at a family ranch in Ellensburg, WA, and at their spectacular beach compound on Maui.More importantly, she chose to share her benefits, her talent, and her energy with the community. Always in a position in leadership, she was totally involved in the operations and activities of Charles Wright Academy and the Tacoma Art Museum, the benevolences of the Murray Foundation and the Helen B. Murray Oncology Foundation, and the community service of the Junior League. In addition, currently she was serving as co-chairman of the upcoming USGA Junior GirlsÂ' Golf Championship scheduled to be held at the Tacoma Golf and Country Club in 2007.Lowell is survived by her husband, Jack, her son Todd, his wife Jennie and their children Tyler and Kate, her daughter Amy, her brother David M. Young, his wife Barbara, and their sons Tige and Matt, and a large community of friends.A memorial service will be held in the Valley Chapel of Mountain View Memorial Park at 3:00 PM, Thursday, January 12, 2006.Contributions in LowellÂ's memory may be made to the Helen B. Murray Oncology Foundation located at 314 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405, the Tacoma Art Museum, or Charles Wright Academy.
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