Atascadero honors icon Barbie Butz on her 90th birthday

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Feb 05 2026

Community gathers at Printery building to celebrate lifetime of volunteerism, announce a new junior award, and name future theater stage for her

ATASCADERO — The community came out to sing happy birthday to one of its most cherished members. Atascadero's own Barbie Butz turned 90 years old on Sunday, Feb. 1, and celebrated alongside family and friends at the Atascadero Printery building.

"Thank you so much for coming here. It's a testament to what she brings, and what you guys have brought to her," Barbie's son Dan Butz said to a full room ready to celebrate his mom. "I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Barbie is known for many things in North County — her recipes shared in Atascadero News Magazine, a supportive mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother — but most of all for her philanthropic work in the community.

Barbie's volunteer work began nearly from the day she was born.

Moving to Southern California from Oklahoma when she was less than a year old, Barbie began volunteering as a child with her parents: Her father, who was a Lions Club president, and her mother, who was president of the Leonas, the Lions Club women’s auxiliary.

Barbie met her future and forever husband, John, while working on a homecoming float at the University of California, Santa Barbara, from which she graduated in 1958. After they married in 1959, John would eventually operate his own custom home business while Barbie worked as a substitute teacher.

The two moved to Atascadero in 1980 and five years later, Barbie’s retirement gave her the opportunity to become a full-time volunteer. One of her earliest volunteer projects was with the Assistance League, which she served as charter president locally. Each year, the organization provides money for low-income kids to buy clothing. Other organizations that Barbie has dedicated time to includes (but is certainly not limited to) Friends of the Atascadero Library, the Atascadero Historical Society, Atascadero Printery Foundation, Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee, and many more. Some of her list of awards and recognitions include Citizen of the Year, Kiwanian of the Year, Woman of the Year from the 33rd Assembly District, and the George Dodge Humanitarian Award.

"As mayor, I frequently comment that one of the things that makes Atascadero such a special place is the super strong volunteer spirit that we have here in Atascadero, and how many things get done in Atascadero because of volunteers," said Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau. "Nobody epitomizes that great Atascadero volunteer spirit more or better than Barbie Butz."

Bourbeau said he wanted to honor Barbie with more than just a certificate for her birthday.

"As someone who has volunteered for and given to a number of activities in our community, I know that I look up to Barbie and am inspired by her," Bourbeau said, acknowledging the many volunteers that have been inspired by Barbie to donate their time to the community.

Alongside his wife, Bourbeau donated $5,000 to begin the first annual Barbie Butz Junior Award to honor and support local volunteers who epitomize Barbie's spirit.

While future recipients of the award may choose the organization to receive funds from the award, Bourbeau explained that he felt it was only appropriate that this year the award goes to Atascadero Printery Foundation Board President Karen McNamara, with the money benefiting the foundation.

"Thank you, Karen, for what you do," Bourbeau shared.

Surprised, McNamara was grateful and emotional to receive the award.

"This building, it just means the world to me because of Barbie," she shared.

Barbie's birthday party was one of the first events to be held inside the Printery walls. The Atascadero Printery has long stood at the heart of the community. Built in 1915 as the home of the Women’s National Publishing Company, it provided vital jobs and income for the fledgling town and printed publications such as The Illustrated Review, the Atascadero News, and supplements for the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle.

Over the decades, the building housed junior colleges, the Masonic Lodge, the County Sheriff’s Office, and youth services, most recently serving as the Atascadero Youth Center before closing due to damage from the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake. Restoration is now underway to revitalize this historic landmark as a community hub, featuring a 300-seat theater, an interactive print museum, and spaces for cultural, performing, and visual arts events for all ages and abilities.

"I am so thrilled that we can have your night in this room ... Barbie has been such an amazing support. Barbie is my hero honestly," McNamara shared.

McNamara also announced that the Printery Foundation has chosen to name the future Performing Arts stage at the Printery after Barbie. Fundraising for the project will soon be underway.

"I love you all. 
My heart is just so full ... I couldn't have asked for a better day," Barbie said to a room full of friends and loved ones. "We need to get this building done because I just turned 90. I'm not going to say anything more."

Happy Birthday, Barbie!

Feature Image: Barbie Butz (in chair) is shown with family and friends during her 90th birthday party at the Atascadero Printery building on Feb. 1. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN