Mary Elizabeth Keys Buttitta

Blessed are you, O God, giver of the universe. One of Your beloved children, who gave You praise through her beautiful life – a life of high achievement and deep love – has come home to rest in peace with You. Mary Elizabeth Buttitta is forever the daughter of Peter and Nancy (Keys) Buttitta; sister to Laura, Ellen and Sarah; aunt to Milo; godchild of Jay Rehak and Mary Callahan; and friend to many. Born the second child of four, Mary Elizabeth embraced the carefree spirit of a younger sibling, responsibility of an older sibling, and spunk of a middle child. After graduating from Northside Catholic Academy, Mary Elizabeth attended Loyola Academy High School where she ran cross country and dazzled audiences with her acting skills in productions such as Pride and Prejudice. She continued on to Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Economics with minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies. While there, Mary Elizabeth was instrumental in the creation of Winthrop Garden, a sustainable student garden that, due to her efforts, supplied both the weekly Loyola farmer’s market and student-run restaurant with fresh produce. After graduation, she was accepted to the University of Virginia School of Law where she was involved in the student environmental law group, founded a food law student group, was a member of the vegan and vegetarian society, and enjoyed exploring the wooded trails around campus. Along the way, she pursued a law internship at the EPA office in Chicago and at RUSH Medical Center. She was proud to have passed the California bar on the first try and, in 2021, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of moving West. Elizabeth made her home in Los Angeles where she was hired by Winston & Strawn, LLC as an associate lawyer. She embraced her work in the world of real estate law while also taking great pride in her pro bono work with detained migrants and victims of wrongful evictions. Outside of her career, she was an avid gardener, music lover, NPR enthusiast, and life-long learner. She enjoyed yoga and meditation and attended services at Der Nister synagogue. Throughout her journey, Mary Elizabeth loved children and the feeling was mutual. She babysat numerous kids and was nanny to a few as well. Mary Elizabeth lived in the spirit of tikkun olam, a concept in Judaism that refers to various forms of action intended to repair and improve the world. We hope to carry on her legacy by embracing the same spirit. In her memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation of your time or funds to a charity that repairs and improves the world. One organization dedicated to improving the world by supporting those struggling with eating disorders, the chronic illness to which Mary Elizabeth ultimately succumbed, is the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). Gifts can be dedicated to Mary Elizabeth here: https://anad.org/donate/. Thank you. Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth: Date: March 9, 2024 Place: St. Gertrude Church, 1420 W. Granville, Chicago, IL (corner of Granville and Glenwood) Visitation: 9:30am Mass: 11:00am, Fr. Mike Bradley & Rabbi Zack Wiener presiding Luncheon to follow May her dying find a way to inspire our living.

Mary Elizabeth Keys Buttitta

May 4, 1992 - February 27, 2024

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Mary Elizabeth Keys Buttitta

May 4, 1992 - February 27, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

Obituaries

Plan Ahead

Resources

Contact Info