Holly Kay Butman

Holly Kay (Moldenhauer) Butman of Cheshire died Feb. 20 at home after a lengthy illness. She was 59.

Born Dec. 11, 1966, in Milford to Carl Ernst and Leah Elizabeth (Kittle) Moldenhauer, she graduated from Joseph A. Foran High School in 1984.

A National Merit Scholar in high school, she earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Theater, with honors, from Smith College in 1988. At Smith Holly was Student Bank president, active in the theater, and hosted a show on WOZQ, the Smith College radio station. She then earned an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 1992.

For many years, she served the Durham, NC, community in a number of ways close to her heart, helping people access home and business loans through the Durham Self-Help Credit Union; as an operations improvement coordinator at Duke University Medical Center; hosting a radio show on WXDU, where she played rock, blues, country, soul, jazz, and world music; and selling gourmet foods and wine at Foster’s Market. Her other interests included cooking, fishing, reading (Holly taught herself to read at age 3), her cats, and visiting the beach.

Reflecting on her work as a college radio show host, Holly wrote, “If one person hears something that changes their life, than we've done our job…we’ve made a difference in the world.”

She is predeceased by her parents. Survivors include two sisters, Toni Moldenhauer of Cheshire and Jill Elizabeth Millea of Norwich; a niece, Carlee Brandom, Carlee’s husband, Eric, and two great-nephews, Gregory and Henry Brandom, and many longtime friends.

Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.