Mary Elizabeth Byrne (née Dyck), August 4, 1935 - August 25, 2015
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a dear wife, mother, nana and sister. Mary passed away on Tuesday, August 25, in Powell River General Hospital, just after her 80th birthday.
Mary leaves behind her pride and joy, her loving husband of 60 years, Andy, her daughters Valerie (Brent), Linda (Dave) and Sandra (Rob), four wonderful grandchildren Torey (Sydney), Kevin, Steven (Katie) and Amy, brothers Peter (Eileen) and Donald (Ann) , many nieces, nephews and good friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Corneillus and Annie along with siblings Edward, Frank, Eva, Polly, Laura and son-in-law Dave.
Mary was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan on August 4, 1935. Her family eventually made the move to the coast following the older siblings. They settled in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island then moved to Mill Bay where her parents owned and operated the Bayview Café. It was there that she met Andy, the love of her life. They were married May 14, 1955 in Cobble Hill. Together they bounced around as Andy’s work took them to numerous places on the island. Mill Bay was home for a few more years and where Valerie and Linda were born. In 1962 they moved to Sechelt where Andy’s business grew and Sandra was born. The family’s final move was to Powell River in 1969.
Her home was her castle and family and friends were key to her life. Throughout her life Mary was a five-star cook and hostess, a green-thumb gardener and was often referred to as Dr. Mary as she took care of her family. She became an avid hockey fan, won the number-one-grandmother award on multiple occasions, helping with track and field, school cupcakes days, hot-lunch and carnival days and baking for hockey trips. In her later years, Mary developed dementia; this did not hinder her willingness to assist anyone in need…she could still whip up a bucket full of chocolate chip cookies.
Mary will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, September 12 at 1 pm at the Beach Gardens Resort. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, Suite 300 - 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E2, or to Powell River Hospice Society in her memory, if so desired.