Kathleen "Kathy" Byrne

Kathleen passed away on January 2, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

Kathleen was born in the family apartment in New Brighton and spent many happy years in that neighborhood with her 3 brothers and 1 sister. She attended St. Paul School and graduated from Curtis HS in 1946.

After graduating, Kathleen entered the insurance industry by becoming an executive secretary for an insurance broker, Joe Dorland, in lower Manhattan. He recognized her intelligence and took her under his wings. She assumed greater responsibilities as the years went by, became a licensed insurance broker and spent many years as the right-hand assistant to the president of Davis Dorland, Charles Hallowell. She retired from Alexander and Alexander in midtown Manhattan in 1992.

She was a beloved “Auntie Mame” figure to her many nieces and nephews. Always ready to play games, sing songs, or dance “Ring around the Rosie”. She created fond memories for them all as she treated them to a special outing of their choice when it was their birthday: plays or movies in NYC, museum visits, trips to the Staten Island Zoo or to special restaurants in NYC.

Kathleen loved to be with people and celebrate events, whether it was her younger days hanging out in Leggetts in Manasquan, rooting for her beloved Giants at Yankee Stadium and later on TV (even cheering during their winning game against the Colts on 12/29/24), hosting her infamous St. Patrick’s Day parties after the West Brighton parade, and attending every special event celebration she could for her nieces and nephews.

Kathleen had the travel bug at an early age and throughout her life visited 26 states, 32 countries and 5 continents. She has passed this gene onto many of her nieces and nephews who are continuing her travel legacy.

Kathleen was a modest woman who had a deep faith that sustained her until the end. She was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church and was actively involved in the St. Vincent De Paul Society, the St. Joseph’s Guild, the food pantry, and Eucharistic Ministry. She also volunteered in

her younger days with Project Hospitality and St. Vincent’s Hospital (now RUMC).

Kathleen, the daughter of the late Bernard and Nora Byrne, was predeceased by her brothers Bernard, Gerald and Martin, her sisters Joan and Rita, her sisters-in-law Marguerite, Charlotte and Dorothy, her nephews Russell and Kevin and her niece Rose. She is survived by 13 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews and 25 great great nieces and nephews.

Her family is especially grateful for the care and compassion she received from the staff at Addeo House. They were truly angels to her.

“Aunt Kathy” was a legend, beloved by all who knew her, and will be sorely missed. But she will live on in us all through our cherished memories.