On January 15, 2026, Brityn Lois Butrick peacefully went to be with Jesus surrounded by her family. She was 42 years old. Born on October 29, 1983, to Mark and Gloria Smallwood, Brityn grew up amid the warmth of the thriving youth group her parents led at Good Tidings Church in Delhi, California. As the first baby in a home that welcomed countless junior high and high school students who called Mark and Gloria “Mom and Dad,” Brityn learned young that family is defined by love, not just lineage. Among her earliest adventures were mission trips to Tijuana, riding in a VW van full of teenagers, serving at an orphanage.
As a child, Brityn loved reading, gardening, playing softball, singing, and playing the piano. She helped at her parents’ restaurant, La Morenita, and spent her free time watching the Food Network while cooking dinner for her siblings, the beginning of her lifelong love for feeding people.
After graduating from Turlock High School in 2001, Brityn worked alongside her parents at La Morenita in Modesto. When she wasn’t at the restaurant, she spent time fishing in the Sierra Nevadas with her dad and siblings, cycling, running marathons and reading.
On March 31, 2009, Brityn lost her dad and best friend, Mark. As the family grieved, she stepped into a greater leadership role at La Morenita. Two years later, in Mark’s memory, they opened La Mo Cafe which has grown into a bustling hub of the Turlock community.
In May of 2009, Brityn met Matt Butrick. They married three months later. Together, they loved listening to music and going to concerts—a shared passion that wove through their years together.
Brityn’s world changed forever when she welcomed her bestest girl, Marin Claire, followed by her bestest boy, Mateo Cruz. As a mom, Brityn loved cooking with her kids and building a home filled with laughter, good food, and love. Matt and the children were her everything—her daily joy, her legacy of love made visible.
Food was how Brityn cared for people—whether creating recipes in Whole Foods with Brityn, preparing meals for friends, or feeding the community at La Mo. Serving wasn’t just a job, it was her love language. Her bright smile, warmth, and sense of humor made every customer feel like family.
Since her diagnosis with cancer four years ago, Brityn has fought with extraordinary courage and grace.
Brityn is survived by her husband Matt, her children Marin and Mateo, her mom Gloria, siblings Hillary Smith (Alec), Jordan Smallwood (Stephanie), Robbie Smallwood, and Audrey Smallwood, parents-in-law Loren and Carmen Butrick, sisters-in-law Felicia Gatz (Jon) and Sherelle Butrick, nieces and nephews Scarlett Smallwood, Owen and Beau Smith, Bennett and Lila Gatz, and Giada Greene, Abuelita Lupe Cordova, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Brityn was welcomed into heaven by her dad Mark, her beloved cousin Elisha, among grandparents, family, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at New Life Christian Center in Turlock.
Donations may be made to: The Elisha Project C4K (Christ + Compassion + Clothes for Kids) https://www.theelishaprojectc4k.com/donate or Jessica’s House Grief Support for Children and Families https://www.jessicashouse.org/donate
