Born in Enid, Oklahoma, Shirley Butts spent many summers in Taos with Helen and Dr. Paul Martin, her aunt and uncle, in their large home, where Dr. Martin had his medical practice. After Doc’s death, Aunt Helen established the Martin Hotel, now known as the Taos Inn.

Shirley graduated from Sullins College in Virginia and married Colonel Robert Butts after World War II. She and Bob raised three children, and Shirley has been blessed with four grandchildren.

In Oklahoma, Shirley supported the Junior Welfare League and the Oklahoma Parks Commission while raising Arabian horses, organizing international Arabian horse shows, and directing youth equine programs and 4-H events. She also taught English and western riding, worked for the Gilbert Robinson Corporation, and helped design and develop many nationally known restaurants. With her son, she bought and ran the T.J. Cinnamon’s franchise in New Mexico during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Shirley retired and moved to Taos in 2000. She was looking for opportunities to give back to a community that she had always loved. When she was eight years old and suffered a serious dog bite, she had to travel to Santa Fe because Taos had no hospital. Holy Cross Hospital is very important to her, and she is committed to helping it be the best it can be. She invites you to join in her support of Holy Cross Hospital and the Foundation.