Margaret A. Byrnes

Margaret “Peg” Byrnes, 89, of Manchester and formerly of East Hartford, peacefully entered into eternal life on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Manchester Manor Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Born in Burlington, VT on October 19, 1934, a daughter of the late Henry A. and Mary E. (Picard) Byrnes, she had been a resident of East Hartford for 77 years prior to moving to the Manchester Manor. Peg was a graduate of East Hartford High School, class of 1952 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hartford. Prior to her retirement she was employed for over 30 years in human resources by Rourke-Eno Paper Company in Hartford.

A devout Catholic, Peg was a longtime faithful communicant of St. Mary’s Church in East Hartford, where she was a former Eucharistic Minister, a former member and past Chairwoman of the Parish Council, and a volunteer at the annual Strawberry Festival. A staunch Democrat, Peg was an active member of the town of East Hartford Democratic Committee and a past chairwoman of the Fourth District. She later served as the town Democratic Registrar of Voters for many years until her health prevented her from performing her role.

Peg believed in giving back to her community and she volunteered in many civic organizations within the town of East Hartford. She was a longtime member and past chairwoman of the East Hartford Patriotic Commission where she organized the annual town Memorial Day parade. She was also co-chairwoman for several years of the annual Fourth of July River Festival in East Hartford and Hartford. She was over a 50-year volunteer and scout leader for the Girl Scouts Troop #49, a member and past President of both the East Hartford Woman’s Club and East Hartford Democratic Women’s Club. She was a former member of the Irish-American Home in Glastonbury and was honored as the town of East Hartford Honoree for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Hartford. In her free time, Peg was an avid loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox and the former Hartford Whalers.

Peg is survived by a brother, William J. Byrnes and his wife Anita of Waxhaw, NC; four sisters, Mary Helen McSwiney of Newington, Elizabeth “Jane” Matherly of Reno, NV, Barbara Mai Unger and her husband James of Reedsport, OR, Patricia “Patty” Byrnes of East Hartford with whom she had made home; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Along with her beloved parents, Peg was predeceased by a brother, Michael Byrnes of Worthington, MA; an infant sister, Amelia Byrnes; and her longtime friend and companion of 50 years, Urban Kuntz of East Hartford.

Funeral service will be Friday, September 20, 2024 starting at 9 am from the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church of North American Martyrs Parish, Main Street/Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, (Section B), East Hartford. Peg’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home chapel on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 5 – 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Peg’s name may be made to the East Hartford Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 380401, East Hartford, CT 06318-0401. Peg’s family would like to thank the staff at Manchester Manor and Vitas Hospice for the care and compassion to both Peg and her family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com