Lorraine O'Brien Byrne

Lorraine O'Brien Byrne of Wheat Ridge, CO, died April 7, 2010, at age 81. A dearly loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lorraine will be remembered in the hearts and memories of her family and friends forever. Lorraine was born in Carteret, NJ, on Dec. 31, 1928, to Frank and Sophia O'Brien. She married her best friend and soul mate, Charles "Bud" Byrne, in 1948. They raised their family, daughter Nancy, and sons Tim, Michael and Bill, in Carbondale, IL, where Lorraine started a career in real estate. After their children were grown, Lorraine and Bud moved to Englewood, OH, where they lived for 25 years. After they both retired, Lorraine and Bud spent many years making each other laugh and enjoying the simple things in life: the morning newspaper, crossword puzzles, traveling to the Jersey Shore, and filling their home with family at Christmas and other holidays. Lorraine was the social butterfly of her family, keeping everyone connected through her captivating letters and lively conversations. With her witty sense of humor and a smile anchored by dimples, Lorraine brought laughter to all of the lives she touched. She hosted game nights that family members are still laughing (and arguing) about years later. Lorraine and Bud celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998 with a party thrown by their children. After Bud's death in 1999, Lorraine moved to Monroe, NJ, to be close to her sisters Caroline (Robert) Shaw and the late Genevieve (Chester) Milik. In 2003, she moved near her daughter to the Meridian Retirement Community in Arvada, CO. She lived there until she moved to Nightingale Lane, and then on to Mountain Vista Retirement Community. Lorraine is survived by her four children Nancy (Dwight) Berryman, Tim (Barbie) Byrne, Michael (Anna) Byrne, and William (Laurie) Byrne; six grandchildren Amy (Andrew) Krause, Melissa (Dan) Neal, Douglas (Casey) Byrne, Joanna (Shawn) Stevens, Joshua Byrne, and Kelly Byrne; eight great-grandchildren Jake, Tommy, Charlie, Haley Lorraine, Liam, Nicholas, Mesa, and Taitum; and one sister, Caroline (Robert) Shaw of Monroe Township, NJ. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton. Family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until the time of service.