Christina Mills Button

Christina Mills Button died of acute respiratory failure at Virginia Hospital in Arlington, VA on March 18, 2018 after a short illness. She was 76 years young. Christina, a woman of great determination, in life and in death, asked to be removed from life support after she said final goodbyes to her family. She was surrounded by her loving family. Christina is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Alan Button. The couple previously resided in Appleton, WI for over 20 years. In 2014, Christina and Alan moved to Arlington, VA to be closer to their daughter, Angela Keckler, son-in-law, Charles Keckler, and grandson, Alexander. Christina is also survived by her loving son, Alan II, and his partner, Kathleen Yeakle; sisters, Marsha Carruthers, Geraldine Lilley, Gloria Bowers, Mary Richards, Jamie Horton, and brother, Jim Mills. Christina Mills was born on December 17, 1941 in Philadelphia, PA, to James Arthur Mills and Geraldine Evelyn Huffman, the first child of what would be 7 children. She graduated from Redbank High School in New Bethlehem, PA, and went on to earn a medical technology degree from Carnegie College in Cleveland, OH where she met and eventually married Alan Button. Although Christina worked in the medical field for years helping to support her young family, she had a deep and abiding passion for art. She felt a special connection with artists, and encouraged others to value original art. She earned a scholarship from the American Association of University Women “AAUW” in the 1970s to attend UW-Oshkosh, which enabled her to get her Bachelors’ Degree in Art History. After working in art galleries, and having an art gallery in her home, Christina started her own successful art consulting business in Appleton, which sold fine art to individuals and businesses. She was especially proud to promote Wisconsin original art. Her fun, loving and beautiful spirit will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider an “in memory” donation to the Educational Opportunities Fund of the American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org)