M. Joan Byrne, age 94 of Pompano Beach, FL, departed this life May 27, 2023 at Catholic Hospice, Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Joan was born April 22, 1929 in New Prague, MN to Jerome and Mary (Adams) Byrne. She graduated from Good Council in Mankato, MN. She received a BA and Masters degrees from Mankato State University. She taught briefly in Wisconsin and Minnesota before she had the opportunity to teach for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). While at DoDDS, Joan taught at military bases in Puerto Rico, France, the Philippines and Okinawa.
Having gotten the “travel bug” while teaching for DoDDS, Joan visited many countries while at her various postings. Her most memorable trip was to Antarctica where she was able to see the penguins. After her retirement she moved from Okinawa to Pompano Beach, FL. Joan was an active member of St. Coleman’s Catholic Church and a volunteer at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, FL. Joan loved to read and as an early adopter of the computer, had a blog.
She is survived by her four nephews, Jerome (Mary) Hill of MN, Joseph (Jan) of WA, Mathew (Jack) of GA, and Owen (Lisa) of NE; and sister-in-law, Patricia Hill of MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step father, Dave Poster; sister, Mariana; and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Hill.
A Memorial Mass was held at St. Coleman’s Catholic Church in Pompano Beach, FL on June 8th, 2023.
A Memorial Mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, New Richland, MN on July 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM; Father Glenn Frerichs will officiate. Margaret’s family will greet guests at a visitation ½ hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Mary’s Township, MN.