2014 -- H 8352

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LC005896

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SINCERE CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF KELLY MARIE

BUTTERWORTH (JULY 5, 1961 - MAY 22, 2014)

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Handy, and Jacquard

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with utmost sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Kelly

Marie Butterworth on May 22nd of 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Providence, Kelly Marie Butterworth was a daughter of Bruce E.

and Patricia A. (Luchka) Butterworth. She was the sister of Joyce E. Sellon of North Kingstown,

and Cheryl B. Padilla of Tiverton, and was a devoted aunt; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly Butterworth was a graduating member of the Class of 1980 at the

Rhode Island School for the Deaf (RISDeaf). She was the first woman from Rhode Island to

receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University in 1987; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly loved to compete in a number of varsity athletic sports both at the

RISDeaf and Gallaudet University. She was the first deaf women to play AAU field hockey. She

represented the United States in the 1991 (Banff, Canada) and 1995 (Ylläs, Finland) Winter

Deaflympics for four events combined (Downhill, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Super-G); and

     WHEREAS, Kelly Butterworth was employed at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf

for more than fourteen years as a media specialist, and for more than 20 years in different

positions at RISDeaf such as Athletic Director, Coach, Assistant Coach, Teacher Tutor, American

Sign Language Specialist, and Event Coordinator; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly shared her passion for sports and media (video/photography). She

contributed to the academic and athletic success of the students of RISDeaf. In April of 2012, she

volunteered to organize the first Annual Rooster 5K Run Fundraiser which helped raise money

for kids to attend summer camp programs; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly had also been instrumental in coordinating several large scale athletic

events in Rhode Island such as the Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association (ESDAA)

Track and Field Meet in 2011, the ESDAA Division II Boys Basketball Tournament in 2012,

Golf Fundraiser Tournament for the RISDeaf Athletic Department in 2013, and the ESDAA

Division II Girls Basketball Tournament in 2013. She also organized after school activities in

which students interacted with RISDeaf faculty and staff as well as students from the other

schools in the New England region; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly Butterworth was the chairperson of the Alumni Association of Rhode

Island School for the Deaf 50th Anniversary Reunion that will be held on the weekend of

September 19, 2014; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly Butterworth received the RI Hamilton Relay 2012 Deaf Community

Leader Award for the State of Rhode Island. In her personal leisure time, she enjoyed skiing,

sailing, and traveling; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly was well known among the deaf community, not just in Rhode Island,

but also throughout the United States, for her in-depth dedication, her "can do" attitude, and the

way she inspired others by radiating her positive thinking to all whose lives she touched. She

made numerous videos documenting her battle against cancer, sprinkling them with her unique

sense of humor which are being watched by the deaf community across the nation; and

     WHEREAS, Kelly Butterworth was a true fighter who battled cancer for more than

twelve years with a sense of humor and an indomitable spirit, and her legacy deserves to be

honored and recognized; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses deepest sympathy on the passing of Kelly Marie

Butterworth. She will forever be remembered for the citizenship, character, and the leadership she

demonstrated throughout her lifetime; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Butterworth Family.

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LC005896

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