Breanna Button

There was never enough time in a day for Breanna Button to experience all that she hoped to, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t try. A beloved sister, daughter, granddaughter and friend, Breanna’s life was too short, but each day she lived was filled with her unquenchable thirst for life. Breanna approached each day with a stunning sense of adventure and joy, approaching challenges with determination, and treating her family and friends with loyalty and love. A sweet, passionate child who always was ready to share a smile, Breanna’s presence brought a sparkle of joy to those around her.

For Brian and Jennifer (Campbell) Button in Plainwell, Michigan, the year 1999 was filled with anticipation as they prepared their home for the birth of a new child. One crisp fall day, the expectant parents decided the time had come for her to arrive, and they excitedly drove to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Soon enough, the excited parents held their new bundle of joy in their arms. Looking down into the face of their baby daughter, who they decided to name Breanna, Jennifer and Brian just knew that angels were singing and celebrating her birth.

Right from the very start, Breanna brought nothing but joy to her parents, and they couldn’t have asked for a more loveable baby. As an infant, Breanna was easy going, and hardly ever cried. When she grew and was a toddler, Breanna loved to play in her Johnny Jumper, working her little legs in preparation for a time when she could run and play on her own. A very vocal little one, Breanna loved to coo to her parents, who were just sure that she was trying to talk, but just didn’t know how quite yet.

As she grew up, her love for nature became apparent. As soon as she could walk, Breanna loved to wander around outdoors, picking flowers and berries, and later even catching snakes and frogs. One of her favorite places to visit was the Kalamazoo Nature Center, where she spent many days soaking up the world around her. Breanna lived her life with a wonderful sense of adventure, always eager to try new things and fit more activities than possible into a day. From tubing with her oldest brother to staying at her Nana Campbell’s house catching frogs and picking flowers, Breanna loved to spend time with those she cared about, and found special ways to show her love. She always had a gift for her mom each day—usually a treasure she had made or found outside, a special token of her love. She was a self proclaimed daddy’s girl as well.

The determination Breanna showed in her day to day life was inspirational to all who knew her. She approached each task with a certain fearlessness, knowing that she could find a way to do anything. When Breanna wasn’t playing outside, she loved working with her hands to create, whether making a craft project or helping her mom prepare her favorite foods—shrimp, strawberries, deviled eggs and, of course, chocolate ice cream. And she and her mom shared special times washing the dishes together afterwords. Breanna had a special fondness for scrapbooking, and would always show great enthusiasm for any project that involved glitter, especially if it was her new favorite color blue!

Breanna attended school at Starr Elementary School in Plainwell, where she was a joy to her teachers. She was always positive, happy, and polite, showing a great eagerness to learn. While she was at school, she loved studying science, but never really enjoyed math. She loved to challenge herself as well by participating in Girls on the Run and volleyball camps. Her many schoolmates could always identify her in the tie dyed shirts and peace signs she liked to wear, and she was fondly known around school as the “Peace Girl”. This fall, Breanna was excited to start the fifth grade.

Breanna lived her life with enthusiasm and joy, filling the days of those around her with her laughter and sense of adventure. From playing volleyball with friends from school to spending quiet evenings just snuggling with her mom and dad, Breanna found ways to make each moment of her life special. A beloved daughter, sister granddaughter, and friend, Breanna’s memories will continue to bring joy to those she loved. She will be greatly missed.

Breanna Button age 10 of Plainwell died suddenly at her home Monday September 6, 2010. Learn more about Breanna, view her life story film and visit with her friends and family Friday from 3 to 7 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881) where funeral services will take place Saturday at 11 am. Besides her parents, members of Breanna’s family include her brothers Erik Hileski and Hunter Button, grandparents; Diane Campbell of Kalamazoo, Andy Campbell of Otsego, Harris and Gloria Button of Wayland, great-grandparents; Fred and Gilda Campbell of Otsego, several aunts, uncles, and cousins including Hannah and Jake Brinkman as well as many friends. She was preceded in death by a grandmother, Judy Button. Please visit Breanna’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home and make a memorial donation to Kalamazoo County Humane Society.