Phyllis Kernan Byrne

Phyllis Kernan Byrne, age 73 of Reva, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, Catechist, Servant of God, counselor, and therapist. Phyllis was born December 16, 1948 in Baltimore, MD to the late Eugene Kernan and Frances Aruta.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, 2LT (USMC) Kenneth Kubik and her sister, Joy Calandra. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, James G. Byrne, and their children and their spouses: Michael and Carole, Erika and Eric, James and Laura, John and Emily, Christopher, Phillip and Michelle, their grandchildren: Ashley, Kaitlyn, Leah, Owen, Claire and PJ, her sister, Diana Aruta and her nieces: Kristen and Dana (Richard; Rene and Mia) and nephew, Jimmy.

Phyllis was always eager to learn and she continued her education throughout her life. She earned her commercial real estate license and built a successful career as a broker in the Washington, DC area. She taught herself a variety of skills and even became a master gardener. In her forties, she went back to college and pursued her lifelong dream of earning a degree. She earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from George Mason University (2000), followed by a Master’s Degree in Counseling (2004) and an Educational Specialist Degree (2004) from James Madison University. This is where her gifts truly bloomed and her true calling in life by God was served. Phyllis became a Virginia State Licensed Professional Counselor in 2007 and a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor in 2017. She was devoted to her clients and their families and cared deeply for each and every one with whom she worked.

She loved playing with children, talking with them, and helping them develop their own super-powers: realizing their abilities, possibilities, and potential to be safe and healthy. Her faith was strong, deep-rooted and devout in all that she did and every encounter that she made. She served God to the fullest, especially in the communities of Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper, VA and Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Catholic Church in Madison, VA. She devoted so much to the ministries of the Church, especially with CCD/Religious Education programs, youth programs, Cursillo, Charismatic prayer groups, RCIA, wedding coordinating, and lectoring. She was also a certified Master Catechist.

Special thanks to Carol, Joanna, and other community friends and helpers, Jason, Darren, and fellow neighbors, Fr. Kevin Welsh, the Extraordinary Ministers, and other ministers of PBCC and OLBR, the professional and caring staff of Heartland/Promedica Hospice, the professional and caring staff of Novant Health UVA Health System, and caretakers: Lisa, Susan, and Hillary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Precious Blood Catholic Church with a reception to follow in the parish hall for all guests. Interment will be held privately in the Culpeper National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Phyllis to Precious Blood Catholic Church, 114 East Edmondson St., Culpeper, VA 22701 (www.pbcconline.com) or Epiphany Catholic School, 1211 East Grandview Avenue., Culpeper, VA 22701 (www.epiphanycatholicschool.org).