Patricia Byrne

Patricia A. Byrne, 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday, April 6, 2009 in Huntsville, Texas, her home since 1988. She was a long time member of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church of Huntsville. Patricia was born in Sycamore, Illinois on October 28, 1926 to Loretta Kirby Knox Lacey and Edward Knox. She spent most of her childhood in Aurora, Illinois, and on June 7, 1947 married a hometown boy, the late Lt. Col. James (Jim) F. Byrne, a highly decorated returning Army Air Corps World War II bombardier, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Aurora. Weeks after their marriage, Jim was commissioned as an officer in the newly created U.S. Air Force, and the young couple began their life in service of their country. They remained married for 53 wonderful years, living in many different states and in Europe. Patricia was a loyal Air Force wife, bravely caring for her young children in post war West Germany and years later in Denmark where Jim was assigned to the diplomatic corps. After a final stint at the Pentagon, Jim retired in 1966 and entered the private sector eventually settling in Texas in 1971, where upon final retirement, they moved to Huntsville to be closer to their children. Sadly, Jim died in April of 2000. Patricia is survived by her sister Donna Knox Lies, and husband Arnie of Aurora, Illinois, her children Mary Beth Lieberman and husband Rick of Los Angeles, California, Michael J. Byrne and wife Gerri of Spring, Texas, Kevin P. Byrne and wife Teri of Santa Clarita, California, and Daniel J. Byrne and wife Celeste of Huntsville, Texas. She had nine grandchildren: Jonathan Lieberman, Michael Lieberman, Tara Byrne, Kelly Byrne, Tim Byrne, Katie Byrne, Jimmy Byrne, Gregory Byrne and Lindsay Byrne Moore and husband Zachary, her great grandson Carter Griffin, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on April 17 at Dalieden’s Mortuary in Aurora, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held at 9:30AM on April 18 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Aurora with interment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Aurora. Special thanks to Thee Hospice volunteers Willa Pilcher and Betty Thompson, and the wonderful and caring staff at The Lexington Center. Words simply cannot describe the family’s gratitude to Lovie Willis, Lynn Longmire and Tami Dees of Thee Hospice for their tireless care and devotion to Patricia in her final days of life. Memorial Donations may be made to Thee Hospice in care of Helping Hands and Caring Hearts, P.O. Box 6548, Huntsville, Texas 77340. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Patricia Byrne

October 28, 1926 - April 14, 2009