Kay Butterfield Anderson

Kay Butterfield Anderson (7/2/1947-7/3/2020), incredible mother, wife, and Nana, returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father and reunited with her son and her mother who she missed terribly, and her father who she lost at a very young age. Kay was an example of endurance throughout her life, and demonstrated her strength and will to live for the last few years battling liver and kidney disease.

Kay was born in Salt Lake City, UT and attended Highland High School, where she and her friends, including her future sister-in-law, Jill, could not stop giggling and laughing, much to the chagrin of their teachers. Being the loudest of his sister’s friends, Kay could not go unnoticed by Paul Anderson, and the “boy-next-door” story came true when they were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 19, 1967. Paul and Kay enjoyed going on road trips to Vegas while listening to their favorite Johnny Mathis or Beach Boys music. Kay diligently supported her husband as he went to school and worked his way up at Mountain Bell. Over the next six years, she had 4 children who became her world. Kay was an incredible mother who gave each of her children the chance to follow their dreams. She was witty, intelligent and creative as she helped all her kids with projects at school, which became works of art. She and Paul were very involved with the Small World Entertainers, and made sure that their 4 performing kids could travel all over to places including Hong Kong and Hawaii, as well as at Disneyland year after year. Together with her husband, she taught her children that FAMILY IS EVERYTHING. Kay had the quiet power to include everyone and see everyone, even (or especially) the quiet ones. She was tenderhearted and made others feel that they were in an emotionally safe place. She connected especially with those who needed buoying up and those with special needs. Kay taught her grandsons with autism how to read, talk and dream of who they could be someday, by saying daily, “I believe in you.” She inspired her granddaughter to express her creativity, and then was in awe of her art. She cherished all her grandkids, even those who were far away, and kept them in her nightly prayers. She supported her two sons David and Brian on their missions, and shared her strong testimony in every letter, as well as sending articles and stories to help them serve the Lord. She emotionally supported her two daughters through college, and was truly their best friend. She travelled to see every play in which her actor daughter Susan performed and, because of her nurturing example, taught her to be a good stepmother, with many phone calls –even at 3am. Kay’s travel buddy was Wendy, and they would take many trips to Vegas for shopping, and they both fell in love with the Oregon coast. She gave advice and support to Wendy about life and taught her how to love and serve selflessly. She always told her children that they were “never stuck”, and that “everything will be ok.” We will miss Kay’s unconditional love, beautiful smile, generous and kind heart, her harmonizing with every song (just a little too high!), and her sense of humor. Until we meet again, EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!

Kay is survived by her husband Paul M. Anderson, and her daughters Susan K. Anderson-Fredde (Michael) and Wendy A. Anderson, and son David P. Anderson (Tamara), 9 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jacqueline, Jenessa, Jacob, Brynley, Jarom, James, Christian, and Jonathan, sister Linda B. Nielson (Len Schmidt), and in-laws Jill Aoki, Stephen R. Anderson (Sharon). She was preceeded in death by her son Brian J. Anderson (Christine), and her mother and father James and Ruth Butterfield. At this time, the family has chosen to have a private graveside service.