Jeanmarie Eleanor O'Byrne

Born in Calgary on November 24, 1961, Jeanmarie (JM) moved around Canada with her family, living in Edmonton and Burlington before they finally settled in Regina. JM attended LeBoldus high school and went on to enjoy a prolific 42-year career with CIBC/Wood Gundy. The dedication she put into continued education and growth in her career was one of the accomplishments she was most proud of.

Along with her husband of forty-three years, JM raised two daughters, Kelsey and Lauren. She enjoyed the fact that both of her daughters became teachers, a profession she had once attended university for herself. And, coincidentally, both Kelsey and Lauren’s husbands share a birthday with JM, which made her birthday even more exciting to celebrate every year.

Anyone who knew JM knew she was happiest anywhere she was warm, so it was no surprise that she and Rod eventually made Mexico their second home. After a decade of travelling to their house in Manzanillo, they made wonderful friends and treasured memories in their tropical paradise. JM also loved nature and had a soft spot for animals, especially those in need. This led her to rescue not one but two dogs from Manzanillo, Gus and Ruby, and give them a wonderful new (albeit much colder) life in Canada.

JM will be remembered by her husband Rod O’Byrne; daughters Kelsey (Tanner) Zipchen and Lauren (Lewis Thomas) O’Byrne; sisters-in-law Joan Griffith, Nancy Griffith, Karen (Owen Goundry) O’Byrne, Jackie (Blair Wood) O’Byrne, and Cathy (Howard Arndt) O’Byrne; nieces and nephews Sarah, Jordan, Jonathan, Kim, Daryn, Rigel, Joel, and Dale; as well as many friends and extended family. She was a loving Baba to her only grandchild, Ollie Zipchen. While we are all saddened by her early passing, we are comforted that she is now reunited with the rest of her family: parents Irene (Hutnan) & Douglas Griffith; brothers Mike and Greg Griffith; and in-laws, Fern & Ron O’Byrne.

A small celebration of life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Regina Humane Society to honour JM’s lifelong love of dogs.