Billie J. Byrne
Billie J. Byrne, 88, a longtime resident of Ephrata, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2008.
Rosary will be held Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Mass will be recited Friday, April 25 at 1 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima. Viewing will be at the church on Friday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake. Please sign the guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com.
Billie was born in Spokane, on March 21, 1920, the daughter of Everett Otto Garrison and Eva Hale Garrison. She grew up in Moses Lake's Cascade Valley, where her father had earlier homesteaded an apple orchard on the south shore of the lake. She graduated from Neppel High School (Moses Lake High). A few years of her youth were also spent in Butte, Mont., during the Depression where after her mother passed away after childbirth, Billie headed the family, along with her brother, while their father worked in the mines in order to save the farm.
After graduating from high school, Billie moved to Wenatchee, where she met and married her husband, Edward Victor Byrne (married in July 1941). While Ed was away in WW II Billie returned to Grant County. They proceeded to successfully raise seven children.
Billie worked at the Grant County Journal before taking a job with the Ephrata school system at Grant School. She then worked at the Grant County Juvenile Department until her retirement in 1985.
She was an outgoing, kind, gracious lady. She loved her family dearly, also her friends. Everyone loved her in return. She was like her father in attracting people to her, even the casual encounter. She was a tireless worker who also loved to have fun. In retirement she found that she loved to spend time in the winter months gambling. She loved gardening, swimming, fine arts, hanging out with the children and grandchildren, reading, photography, pinochle and all kinds of games. And of course, she was a master shopper-bargain hunter. Most of all she liked a laugh and a good funny story.
Her love of God was present and subtle, never overbearing or preachy. Her advice when requested was invariably right on target and profound and delivered in her gentle way. Billie chose to see the best that she could find in all of life's turns and situations. We will miss her for the rest of our lives.
Billie was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Parish. She loved working with the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She dedicated many years of faithful service to her beloved church.
Billie is survived by her children, Jim and Leslie Byrne, Foster City, Calif.; Ed and Beth Byrne, Exeter, Calif.; Tom and Judy Byrne, Castle Rock, Wash.; Mary and Mike Dolan of Chehalis, Wash.; Janet Dudley of Salem, Ore.; and Patrick Byrne of Ephrata; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Victor and son Joseph Martin Byrne and her brothers, Bus (Clarance) Garrison, Richard Garrison, Bill (Everette Arvid) Garrison, and sisters, Marie Lopeman, Zeta Hutchinson, Fay Garrison, Donna Lee Shields, and Susan Romano.
In lieu of flowers and donations, do what Billie would like, hug your loved ones and say a prayer.