Martha E Byrnes

Martha "Marty" Byrnes, aged 89, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, 11/12/2014, in the comfort of her home in San Diego. Marty was born on May 6, 1925, in Syracuse, New York to the late Albert and Rose Hall. Growing up, Marty was known as "Patty" or "Aunt Patty" to her family. She is predeceased by her siblings - a sister, Mary Jane Wildman, and two brothers, Matt and Jack. In 1940, she and her parents moved from Syracuse to South Pasadena, California. After graduating from UCLA in 1946, Marty went on to graduate school. It was there, at the UCLA Newman Club, that she met Francis Byrnes. Their friendship blossomed into an engagement then marriage on June 28, 1947- a union that lasted more than 67 years. Together they raised six children. Besides devoting most of her time to her children and husband, Marty, was an artist who loved to paint with oils and watercolors. She has left behind a beautiful legacy of artwork. She was also an avid and in-demand bridge player. Marty and Francis loved the opera, especially "La Boheme" which they went to on their first date. She was an enthusiastic sports fan and enjoyed listening to and watching the Padres and Chargers. Marty was a life member and co-founder of the North Shores Catholic Women's Club plus a member of the Soledad Club. She was an Oblate of Saint Benedict and when asked who most touched her life personally, her answer was the Benedictine Sisters. Besides her husband Francis, Marty is survived by her six children: Eileen Byrnes, Mary Jane Chleboun (Jim), Rosie Byrnes, Katie Byrnes, Joe Byrne (Betsy) and Patty Chase, 11 grandchildren: Paul, Bob, Sean, Franciska "Malia", Julie, Joslyn, Andrea, Kealan, Ciara, Jessica, Conor, and 8 great-grandchildren: Leilani, Alexia, Reese, Austen, PJ, Matteo, Angelise and Gage. A funeral mass to celebrate the life of Marty Byrnes will be held on Saturday, November 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Brigid Catholic Church. A rosary will be held at Saint Brigid's prior to the service at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, CD Dept., 31970 State Hwy P, Clyde, MO 64432-8100 (www.benedictinesisters.org) or, to her eye doctor's Macular Degeneration Research, TSRI, Mail Code SP-201, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 (www.scripps.edu/hanneken/support.html). - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/utsandiego/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=173210382#sthash.qXjsl39b.dpuf