Helen I. Butler

Helen I. Butler, age 92, of Mundelein, formerly of Geneva, passed away Monday, July 27, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born December 13, 1927, the daughter of Stanley & Pearl (Hughan) Palfrey.

Helen was born in Chicago and grew up in South Shore. Her family later moved to Roseland where she attended and graduated from Fenger High School. Helen worked for the Rock Island railroad company after high school where she met and married James Francis Butler from Englewood. Jim and Helen settled in Evergreen Park at 9417 S. Sacramento their first home where they raised their four children, Lindsay, Jimmy, Chris, and Melissa. The family were members of St. Bernadette Parish where Helen became the president of the Alter and Rosary society and made all of the vestments for the parish priests. She was an avid gardener and was the envy of her friends.  She loved to paint and also attended the Art Institute for instruction.

Our mother poured her heart and soul into everything she did. When it came to Christmas or any holiday or birthday, she always went over the top to make it special. In 1973 they moved from the “south side” to Geneva where they lived until 2009. Our mother and father had a very large circle of friends and our mother loved to entertain and was very good at putting on the dog. Their final home was in Mundelein at the Del Webb. We will all miss our mother, she was a very special lady!

She is survived by her children Lindsay (Dale) Pritkin of Mundelein and Naples, Florida, Christopher (Kathy) of Evergreen Park and Melissa (Justin) Kotzenberg of Buffalo Grove; grandchildren Samantha and Ryan (Michelle) Pritkin, Jimmy, Nora, Molly, and Jack Butler, and Connor and Zachary Kotzenberg; sister-in-law Dorothy Palfrey;  and many other dear relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Palfrey, son James, and her husband James who passed away in 2009 after 60 years of marriage.

A private funeral service and burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Geneva with Father John McGivern officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter Catholic Church Food Pantry, 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva, Illinois 60134 would be appreciated.

Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home in Geneva.  For information, call 630-232-8233 or visit malonefh.com.

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