Mary Kay(nee Westrope) Buttigieg, 65, died at Hospice-by-the-Sea in Boca Raton, FL on July 9, 2011. She died surrounded by her family.
Kay, a vibrant, active member of the Detroit Community most of her life, was born in Alpena, Michigan on February 7, 1946 to Robert and Betty (nee Craighead) Westrope. After graduating from Alpena High in 1964 she attended Central Michigan University then moved to Ann Arbor for a job with Comshare, Inc.
Kay later met and married Joseph (Joe) J. Buttigieg III and they resided in the Detroit area for most of their life and raised two children. Joe was employed by Comerica Bank. The Buttigiegs also maintained a vacation home in Fort Lauderdale and it was there that Kay, who loved warm weather and the beach, took up residence in the last months of her life, calling it her "little piece of paradise".
Active and energetic throughout her life, Kay was a devoted mother but also found the time to play tennis, golf and in-line skate even into her 60's, until ALS curtailed her activities. She loved water sports (especially the wave runner), dancing, music, and had a gift for interior design.
Kay is survived by her husband Joe; her children, Joseph IV of Redondo Beach, CA and Jody (Chris) Patsey of Denver, CO; brother Steve (Betty) Westrope of Alpena; and several nephews.

Visitation for Kay's family & friends will be Thursday 5pm until 8pm with an 8pm Funeral Service at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd.(Between Ford Rd. & Cherry Hill). Another gathering for her family & friends will be Friday 5-8pm at Bannan Funeral Home in Alpena. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Alpena.
Family suggests memorials to Hospice-by-the-Sea, 1531W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33486 or The ALS Association Development Department, 27001 Agoura Rd. #250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104.