Gertrude Ann “Trudy” Butera – 93 – of State Route 21, Almond, died Tuesday morning (October 29, 2013) at the Wellsville Manor, following a brief illness.
Born in Leetonia, OH on July 23, 1920, she was the daughter of Joseph & Mary (Perry) Butera.
Trudy was a graduate of Leetonia High School (class of 1938). Following high school, she worked as a cashier for Mutual Discount Company for 1 year and from 1939-1951 was employed as a cashier and assistant manager for Capital Finance Corporation. From 1951-1959, Trudy served as Vice President of the Union National Bank of Youngstown, OH. She later served as Administrative Assistant of Marketing at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company.
While in her late 40’s, Trudy decided to further her education and in 1969 she received her B.S. / B.A. Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Youngstown State University. In 1971 she received her M.B.A. Degree in Marketing from the University of Akron.
From 1971 – 1973, Trudy served as a part-time instructor at Kent State University – Trumbull Campus, Warren, OH. In 1974 she was hired as an Assistant Professor of Business Technology/Business Administration at Alfred State College, retiring in 1990 as an Associate Professor Emeritus with Alfred / Business Administration. For many years, Trudy owned & operated Butera Business Services, specializing in marketing, communications & management services. For the past 31 years, she also served as a marketing representative for Bon Chance, LTD of Depew, NY and for the past 4 years served as a sales consultant for National Business Promotions, Inc of Albany, NY.
Trudy was a member of both St. Jude Chapel of Alfred and St. Brendan’s Church of Almond. She was an Honorary Trustee and served as Chairman of the United University Professions Development Committee while affiliated with SUNY Alfred. Trudy played an instrumental role in the fund raising efforts of the UUP “Donor Wall of Hope.” She also received the UUP Eugene P. Link Award for Outstanding Devotion and Service to the Cause of Unionism in Higher Education. Upon retirement from SUNY Alfred in 1990, she remained active in the academic union, serving on its Statewide Legislation Committee. In 1996 she received the Nina Mitchell Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of her efforts on behalf of United University Professions. She was also a member of the Allegany County Women’s Republican Group and was recently awarded the “2013 Ronald Reagan Award” by the Allegany County Republican Committee. For several years, Trudy served as a membe of the Allegany County Planning Board.
In addition to her parents, Trudy was preceded in death by her sister, Evangeline “Babe” Butera.
Surviving are several cousins, including Rita Michalak of New Waterford, OH; along with many friends in the Hornell and Allegany County communities.
At Trudy’s request there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at St. Brendan’s Church of Almond, NY. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Leetonia, OH.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
It was a delight to work with Trudy on campus-wide committees. She always had a friendly smile and a kind word for all her teaching colleagues. In addition, she loved the role of teacher and enriched the lives and careers of her many students. Trudy maintained her enthusiasm and zest for life even after retirement. She will be sorely missed by her numerous friends and colleagues at Alfred State College, which she served so well for many years.
Trudy was a wonderful, one-of-a-kind colleague who I fondly remember. In fact, I’ve had a picture of her and another colleague in my office for the past thirty or so years. Seeing it always brings back fond memories of working with her on a variety of events at Alfred State. This included her serving as co-chair of the college’s 75th anniversary celebration.
She will be missed by everyone who knew her!
Many, many young women and men benefited from Trudi’s fundraising efforts on behalf of UUP’s Link Scholarship. She single-handedly raised thousands of dollars to benefit SUNY students. Trudi’s was a life well spent.
Trudy’s smile, energy and positive outlook on life was an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed as a friend and co-worker.
Alan, Terry, Linda and Kelly
Trudy was my marketing professor at Alfred State. She inspired me, believed in me, and always remembered me even though I was not her best student. Her support of All Decked Out was almost daily and always with positive words of encouragement. I can only hope that I have the energy and vitality that she had even at 90. Thank You Trudy!!! You will be missed..
My UUP SUNY Plattsburgh chapter will miss Trudy’s enthusiasm and fundraising efforts for the scholarship funds that UUP has to help our students excel. We all wish her family and closest friends our deepest sympathies. Sincerely, Gina Doty, SUNY Plattsburgh
I have known Trudy for the past 32 years. She joined Bon Chance, Ltd. at the tender age of 62! Trudy always was an inspiration for her professionalism, enthusiam and kindness.Besides all of this, Trudy was a very dear friend and considered a family member by myself and my children.
I shall never forget her.
Dear, dear, Trudy. It has been a pleasure knowing you on both a professional and personal basis. I will dearly miss having lunch with you at Friendly’s and our conversations on health, life, and education. R.I.P., my friend!
Trudy,
We will miss you.
Trudy was a colleague at Alfred, an honorary aunt to my children, and a dear friend. We kept in touch for many years after we retired and she will be dearly missed. Her legacy of accomplishments and activities would be the envy of many. I was fortunate to attend her 93rd birthday party and share the warmth people expressed for her. Ida and I remember her intelligent curiosity and zest for life. We feel blessed to have shared a life with her.
A long life lived well. To her many students she was Professor Butera. To her college associates she was the dedicated educator. To her union associates she was the consummate politician. This hard working Lady was gentle and kind, yet hard as nails when necessary. To her many friends she was always just Trudy. Fond memories of my friend will sustain me until we meet again.
Trudy was wonderful person who will always be remembered for her kindness and generosity. She was someone I was proud to call not only a business associate, but a dear friend. It was always fun getting together and hearing all the stories about her life’s journey. It has been an honor knowing you, goodbye my dear Trudy, you will be missed.
Trudy was an amazing, wonderful women. She was always willing to help you out. I got to know her when we both were members of the Alfred Business Association and worked on several committees together. She also had a business on the side where one could order items to sell for non-profit organizations which were of very good quality. Even though she was retired, she still encouraged and was interested in women entrepreneurs like myself. She will be missed in the community by those who came in contact with her.