Debra Ann Buettner
Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of Barrington Hills Trustee Debra Ann Buettner, who died unexpectedly late last week at the age of 60.
Born in Elgin and raised in North Barrington, Buettner was a Barrington High School graduate who moved to Barrington Hills in 1991 with her husband, James Hammond.
Buettner was in her first term as a village trustee, bringing her professional experience as a tax and transactional attorney to that role, as well as in her prior position as an appointed member of the village’s zoning board of appeals.
Village President Brian Cecola reflected on her contributions to the community in a written statement.
“Deb has been a friend for a number of years,” Cecola said. “I personally got to know her in 2015 during my first election campaign for village trustee. I was elated when I learned Deb decided to run in 2019 for village trustee, as I knew she would make an excellent board member.”
The strengths she brought to her local government roles were personal as well as professional, he added.
“Deb was very detailed and knowledgeable,” Cecola said. “Her heart was with the residents. She was always willing to listen to people and constantly wore a smile. She will definitely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, Jim, and her family,”
Read more here.
Deb was brilliant. I enjoyed serving on the Board of Trustees with her and very much encouraged her to run after having spent time seeing her very measured and always well thought out handling of difficult matters on the ZBA and her commitment to the unique character of our community. As a steward of the land and open spaces, she was the perfect advocate. She treated residents with respect and grace. She gave due consideration to all that came before the BOT, no agenda item was trivial to her.
I considered Deb a friend and confidante. Her quiet sense of humor snuck up on you at the best times, just when you needed a good laugh. Rest In Peace, my friend.