Elizabeth M. Byrne

Elizabeth (Betty) Mary Byrne Elizabeth (Betty) Mary Byrne died in her home, surrounded by her loving children, on the morning of July 17, 2011. She was 95. Mrs. Byrne was the eldest of seven children, born to Francis and Juletta Egan, and raised in Kingston, New York. Her sole surviving sister, Clare, still lives in the family home. She graduated from New Paltz Normal School in 1937. She married John Joseph Byrne in 1939, and they had seven children. They moved according to Johns governmental, civil engineering projects, living first in New York State and Vermont, and then in 1958 they settled in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Byrne was a first grade teacher at Clara Barton Elementary School in Levittown, PA, where she was loved and well-remembered by both her students and their parents. Mrs. Byrne was also active in the grassroots of the teachers union, and represented her building for many years. One story told is how the female teachers had approached her about how cold they were during playground duty, because they had to wear skirts or dresses. Mrs. Byrne solved the problem in her own style, by simply buying herself a nice pantsuit and wearing it to school. Wife of the late John Joseph Byrne, and mother of the late Daniel T. Byrne, Mrs. Byrne leaves behind her children Helen Ruston, John Francis Byrne, Francis William Byrne, Clare Finkel, Michael P. Byrne, and Elizabeth Mary Byrne. She will also be missed by her twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, 9:30 until 10:30 am at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown. Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am at Queen of the Universe Church. Rite of Committal will be held on Friday, 1:00 pm at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Kingston, NY. Memorial contributions in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, c/o Pamela Cohen, 5631 Hanover Dr., Pipersville, PA 18947, or at http://www.nmss.org/ would be appreciated by the family.