Life Kay (“Katie”) Starbird (née Butler) died on Thursday, August 23rd in Barrington, Illinois, at the age of 77.

She leaves behind her children Andrew Starbird of Ozark, Missouri,  Stephanie Starbird of Jamul, California, Jason and Susan Starbird of Andover, Kansas, and Zack Starbird of Barrington, Illinois, as well as her siblings David Butler of Florida,  Dick and Donna Butler of Phoenix, Arizona, Kathy and David Bartlett of Bossier City, Louisiana, Debbie and Jesse McDaniels of Trinity, Texas, and Danny Moreland of Haughton, Louisiana.  And three dearly loved (and slightly spoiled) dogs.  She leaves this earth intensely proud of each and every one of her 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Life was born on July 12, 1941, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Andrew Butler and Edythe Hilsabeck. When she was a young girl, her family relocated to Louisiana, ultimately settling in Shreveport.  After graduating from Fair Park High School, she embarked on a life that took her around the country and as far as Japan.  Along the way, she studied psychology at Oxnard College and elsewhere.  She married naval aviator Gary Starbird in 1968.

Life worked for many years in health care, including both hospitals and pharmaceutical research facilities. She specialized in facilities and supply management.  Her greatest professional accomplishments were designing one hospital and then managing the construction of another.

No stranger to adversity, it became her lifelong passion to help others.  That help could take many forms from welcoming them into her home, offering a meal, listening, teaching a skill, giving advice, or telling hard truths.   She never let social decorum or the sensibilities of others keep her from speaking her mind or being honest.  When it came to protecting and helping those she loved, there were no risks she wouldn’t take nor any sacrifices she wouldn’t make.   

At Life’s request, there is no funeral service.  The family will gather at a later time in the mountains of Montana to scatter her ashes – along with those of her dearest friend, Liah Harris Anderson, who preceded her in death.  A memorial website has been created (http://life-kay-starbird.forevermissed.com) and we encourage family and friends to post memories and tributes there.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Forest Foundation in her memory at https://www.nationalforests.org/donate/giftmembership/.  Condolences can be sent to life.starbird@sbcglobal.net. The family would like to thank her neighbor and close friend, Robin Doran, as well as the staff of JourneyCare and of CareBuilders, for their care and dedication in Life’s final months.