Dorothy Roberts Byrne

Dottie passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025 after a brief battle with uterine cancer. She was intelligent, artistic, and loving, and beloved by her husband Jim, son Burke, daughter-in-law Janice, and daughter Betsy.

Dottie spent her early childhood in Richfield, Utah, with her parents H. Clive and Shirley Roberts and her dear sister Judy, before moving to Salt Lake City when she was 7.

As a freshman in Nursing at the University of Utah, Dottie and her best friend Judi took a hiking class ... which was taught by cute grad student Jim Byrne. Their first date involved an epic drive around northern Utah to go spelunking, kicking off a lifetime of adventures that took them canoeing in Glen Canyon on their honeymoon, hiking in Havasu, rafting in Alpine Canyon, canoeing the Boundary Waters, and, more recently, to the Galapagos Islands and Hawaii with their kids.

She managed to be both a stay-at-home mom and a woman with a stimulating career. She helped countless parents prepare for childbirth by teaching Lamaze, infant massage, and breastfeeding for working mothers. As a parent herself, she was wonderful mom for Burke and Betsy, showing her love through homemade Halloween costumes, tasty meals, good conversations, and excellent hugs.

Dottie had deep and meaningful friendships with many wonderful people. Her lifelong friendship with Judi Rausch created a chosen family, as they raised Burke and Betsy with Heidi, Holly, and Hanni, and they spent many Thanksgivings, Christmases, Fourth of Julys, and birthdays together. Later, Dottie met Sue Hatt through their daughters' friendship, and they bonded over Birkenstocks, books, and quilting. There are so many other great folks in Jim and Dottie's wide circle of friends that made her years rich with "turkey trips," shared recipes, and eclipse viewing parties.

She bought the Revolver album the minute it came out, loved Bill Evans, Mose Allison, Fleet Foxes, and Debussy. She read voraciously - the classics, mysteries, and winners of various literary prizes. Just days before her passing she wrapped up one last read of The Forsyte Saga. She loved Rothko and Calder and Picasso and Miró. She also loved football and kept track of the weekly NFL games, waiting to choose her preferred team till she saw how the season was going. She never lost her intelligence and curiosity.

She asked to have her ashes scattered in places where there are wildflowers. We will pick some beautiful places where we will always think of her and remember how much we loved her and were loved by her.