Kathleen Mary Hindley Byrne

Kathleen M.H. Byrne was born January 28, 1926 in Middlewich, Cheshire, England to Richard and Sarah Robinson. She passed away on September 7, 2015 at home in Merced, surrounded by loved ones. She was 89 years old.

As a Telephone Operator in the British Army, Kathleen met Thomas Byrne, an Irish (naturalized) American Airman. They were married on September 28, 1957 and almost 58 years later they were still best friends. Kathleen made beautiful homes everywhere they were stationed the next 33 years, including France, Holland and in England where their 3 daughters were born. After retiring in 1986 they settled back in Merced where they had been previously stationed.

Kathleen volunteered in many communities, in Holland she became the first female Eucharistic Minister, taught Catechism and sang in the choir. In Merced at OLM and St. Patrick’s Parish she was a ECM, Lector and worked in Pastoral Care. For many years she was the Spiritual Services Coordinator for MCMC and Mercy Hospitals. She more recently belonged to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (DHS). Kathleen had a loving, kind spirit and a great sense of humor. She will be sorely missed by her family, her DHS sisters and her many friends.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Sarah Robinson, brothers, Frank and George; sisters, Marjorie, Joyce and Trudy. Her nephew John, niece Julie and great nephew Gary, All of England.

She is survived by her loving husband Thomas Byrne, her daughters, Lynne Daniel, Dover, Delaware; Karen Maki, Merced and Dawn Byrne Zarate (Richard), Merced. Grandchildren, Danielle Manzanedo, Merced; Lindsey Manzanedo, Merced; Michael Daniel, Dover, Delaware and Natalie Daniel, Dover, Delaware. Additionally survived by many nieces and nephews, other family and friends, too numerous to mention.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2015 from 2:00pm-7:00pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St., Merced, CA with Recitation of Rosary to follow at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:00am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 617 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced, CA. Burial to follow at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 W. McCabe Santa Nella, CA.