Susan (Sue) Reddy Butler

After a long, brave battle with Alzheimer’s, Susan (Sue) Reddy Butler, 80, died peacefully at home on May 15, surrounded by her family in Mission Viejo, California. She was born on July 1, 1944 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, moving with her family to California in 1948, where she grew up in Fullerton. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, John and Grace Reddy, and brother Thomas Reddy. She is survived by her wife, Alexis Smith, daughters Annie (Robert) Butler Shirreffs and Molly Butler from her marriage to David Butler, sister-in-law Julie Reddy, nephew Brian (Jeanne) Reddy, and niece Colleen (Toby) Reddy Poland. A proud graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles, Sue was a voracious reader and loved to learn new things. Although she taught fourth grade for only one semester in the late 1960s, Sue was a teacher at heart, sharing her knowledge and experiences with everyone she met. Known for her vibrant personality and kindness and compassion to family, friends, colleagues, and strangers alike, she loved people and could strike up a lively conversation with anyone. She started her own meeting planning and association management company in the 1980s and was chapter president of several organizations, including Meeting Planners International and the American Association of University Women (where she worked at the national level for two years as president of the association’s Legal Advocacy Fund, which tackles various forms of sex discrimination). Starting in 1992, she was the executive director of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society, a multidisciplinary medical specialty society that provides Continuing Medical Education to physicians and allied healthcare professionals. She held this position until her retirement in 2018, taking younger members under her wing and making many cherished friends throughout the years. A fierce feminist and advocate for human rights, Sue spent her entire adult life fighting the good fight, advocating for women’s rights (ranging from equal pay to reproductive rights), and civil and voter rights. She always stepped in to help those who needed it, whatever their situation. Per her wishes, there will be no funeral services, but a celebration of life is being planned for July (her birthday month) and will be shared through social media. If desired, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Tributes

Susan (Sue) Reddy Butler

July 1, 1944 - May 15, 2025