A woman of dedication and commitment, Mary “Sally” Byrnes, set out on a journey to accomplish three main goals early on in her life. Along the way she “lived well, laughed often and loved much,” during her fulfilling ninety one years of life. Sally went to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016, at her home in the Primrose Retirement Community.
On January 21, 1925, Sally was born in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, one of four children of the late George and Loretta (Welch) Connelly. They moved to Ohio when she was young, where she graduated from Bellefontaine High School. Furthering her education at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, she set out to accomplish her first life goal of becoming a registered nurse.
During her nursing program, Sally was set up on a blind date with a young man, Stephen J. Byrnes, and the rest was history. They were married on December 27, 1947, and chose his hometown of Marion as their place of residence shortly thereafter. Together they were a great pair, with his kindness playing well with her fun loving to the point personality. They shared over fifty one years of marriage and lovingly raised three children. He preceded her in death on December 9, 1999.
Sally started her career as a registered nurse, working for over twenty five years at Marion General Hospital, in many areas, lastly in their maternity/OBGYN department.
In 1962, Sally wanted to get started on her second life goal, becoming a real estate agent with Paul Granger Reality. Quickly earning the respect of everyone in the industry, and earning the trust of everyone in the community, helped her thrive as realtor, selling nearly a house a week for the majority of her fifty plus year career. She worked at several agencies, winning several “Realtor of the Year” awards. She was a member of the Marion Area Board of Realtors and the Ohio Board of Realtors. She also was a member of the Marion Rotary Club and Marion Noon Kiwanis.
A woman of faith, Sally was a member of the St. Mary Church.
Sharing a love of traveling, Sally and Stephen traveled much of the world together, visiting much of Europe, to China, to Africa, to Hawaii, all of the 50 states and many more. In 2004, she was able to accomplish her third life goal of visiting Rome, a goal she accomplished with her son, Daniel.
Always keeping active, Sally was an avid shopper, with a special fondness for QVC. She also loved reading and playing bridge with her many friends throughout Marion.
Despite all she accomplished in life, her proudest achievement was her family, all of whom she was deeply proud of.
A lot can be said about Sally and her unique/straight forward personality, but you always admired her commitment to her work, her dedication to always remain young at heart, and her passion and love for the community of Marion.
Left to cherish her memory are two sons: Terrance (Betsy) Byrnes of Louisville, KY, and Daniel Byrnes of Providence, RI; six grandchildren: Scott (Felicia) Luyster, Cindy Mbuthia, Allison (Menva) Abelian, Kenneth, Jordan and Spencer Byrnes; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara Roberts of Oak Park, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Sally was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Luyster; and two brothers: Robert and Joseph Connelly.
Her family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2016, at the Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home, 347 W. Center St., Marion. Funeral services will be observed at 10 a.m. on Monday, at St. Mary Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion, with Father Ryan Schmit officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Community Foundation, c/o Stephen J. & Mary “Sally” Byrnes fund, 504 S. State St., Marion, OH 43302.
Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Sally’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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