Kerrie Byrne, 58

Kerrie Byrne, Whitefish teacher and community activist, inspired countless friends, family, students and acquaintances with her passion, grace, tenacity and wisdom. Her peaceful death at home on Oct. 18, 2010, tears a hole in the fabric of the numerous communities that nourished her. Yet, because she helped weave that cloth, her impact will outlast all of us. Kerrie was born May 9, 1952, in Redondo Beach, Calif., and grew up in southern California. Early in life she developed a deep love for nature and animals wild and domestic. She moved briefly to Lake Tahoe and Idaho s Stanley Basin before landing in Whitefish in 1974, where she initially worked as a waitress. While preparing to enter the University of Montana School of Journalism, Kerrie learned she had Hodgkin s lymphoma. She went on to be one of the early survivors of that disease, thanks to advancements in radiation therapy, coupled with her sheer determination. Stopping the cancer bought her another 34 years of life, which she lived to the fullest. She received a degree in education at Montana State University and spent most of her career teaching fourth- and fifth-graders in Whitefish. She was deeply devoted to her students, as well as family, friends, garden, animals and Montana wilderness. She also enjoyed reading and cooking. On Thanksgiving 1997, she married Steve Thompson, of Whitefish. Unfortunately, the radiation treatments that saved her life carried very serious side effects. The radiation damaged her internal tissue and vital organs, steadily eroding her health over the ensuing decades. After retiring from education in 2004 due to her disability, Kerrie redoubled her efforts as a community volunteer in Whitefish. Most recently, she was active in the new dog park, downtown farmers market, city weed committee, Farmhands, and numerous groups devoted to protecting wildlife habitat. She rescued and fostered several dogs over the years. Her happiest memories were enjoying nature with Steve and the pack on outdoor adventures across Montana and beyond. Kerrie was in the care of Hospice and a small army of people who loved her, which allowed her to die at home, surrounded by friends and her devoted husband. Dr. Joan Miller, Kerrie s physician for more than 30 years, and the girls at the Professional Center in Columbia Falls forever earn our deepest gratitude. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Velma. She is survived by husband, Steve Thompson; sister, Kris Hollowaty, and husband, Greg, of California; brother, Steve Byrne, of California; nieces, Samantha and Olivia Thompson, of Ohio; and her original partner and lifelong friend, Steve McCluskey, of Arlee. Kerrie was buried on private land in a beautiful ceremony as howling wolves serenaded in nearby Glacier National Park. A public celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at the Whitefish Armory, followed by a potluck dinner. A memorial account has been set up with the Cinnabar Foundation, Montana s homegrown conservation fund. Donations may be sent to the Kerrie Byrne Permanent Fund for Wildlife Conservation, The Cinnabar Foundation, P.O. Box 5282, Whitefish, MT 59937.