Rebecca Smith, known as “Becky” to those with whom she worked on downtown Butler's behalf, wasn't here very long.

It was only in July 2008 that she came on board from her hometown of Warren, Ohio, with the goal of bringing new ideas — and new life — to the local business district.

Unfortunately, a traffic accident Friday on Route 8 near the Diehl auto dealership cut short her life and her mission here.

She will be greatly missed.

Her death imposes on the Butler Downtown Revitalization Committee the challenge of finding a person with the energy, commitment and talent Smith possessed, to carry on her work.

When she came to this city, Smith faced a situation with many challenges, most of which continue today, due to negative factors that have evolved over the past five decades.

The primary goal for downtown Butler and other similar downtowns is to overcome the difficulties resulting from stores' and other businesses' exodus to the suburbs, a scenario that began in the late 1950s and continued through the 1960s and '70s.

Butler was slow in recognizing the need for leadership focused on restoring vibrancy and attractiveness to its business district. With Smith's arrival came hope that she, working with city leaders and community activists, would be the spark plug to effect a substantive turnaround to the downtown's diminishing morale and appearance.

Her efforts on behalf of that goal continued throughout her short tenure.

Having her life cut short has thrust her efforts here into limbo. Now it's city leaders' job to find someone with the ability to resume what Smith has left behind — and be inspired by what she was trying to accomplish.

Perhaps Brian McCafferty, owner of Kenmac Sales and Rentals, who is the immediate past president of Butler Downtown, said it best.

“She looked at Butler in a different way,” he said. “Her passion was to preserve historic buildings and revitalize downtown, and she reminded us of the beauty here.”

Another person with whom she worked reflected on her determination, remembering that “pessimism” was a word never applicable to her.

How long it will be before Butler finds the right person to continue her duties remains to be seen. But the task ahead in finding her replacement won't be easy. It will be a task requiring care and insight into finding the individual with the right mix of qualities, abilities and objectives to help the downtown move forward, not stagnate or, worse, go backward.

Becky Smith wasn't a Butler native, but she carried out her duties with as much commitment as someone who was born and raised here — and who intended to remain here and work here until retirement.

For those who knew her and worked with her, her passing brought shock and deep sadness. For the city as a whole, her passing represents real loss.

She made the most of her short time in Butler — for which the city should be grateful.