Frances I. Byrne, 91
Frances “Frankie” Byrne passed away on May 9, 2021, at her home near Kalispell. Even though a failing heart took her from this world, her loving heart touched all who knew her.
She was born on Jan. 12, 1930, in Havre to James and Della (Manary) Doyle. She lived in Dodson, Montana, until age 5 when her family moved to a farm near Whitefish. Frankie attended schools in Whitefish and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1948. After high school, she worked at the bowling alley where she met Dick Byrne, the man who would win her heart. They were married on May 6, 1951, and lived together with their four children in their home at Lake Blaine until Dick’s death in 1971.
Frankie spent most of her life as a homemaker, but also worked as a cook at the Lake Blaine Resort, served hot lunches for Helena Flats School and Cayuse Prairie School, was a housekeeper at hotels in Kalispell, and sewed dog collars for Aspen Manufacturing. She served on the school board for Cayuse Prairie for several years and was a member of the Century Club, a local civic organization.
Frankie enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, sewing, reading, crocheting, oil painting, playing pinochle and crossword puzzles. She loved watching the hummingbirds that came to drink from the feeder she hung outside her window every summer. She planted a vegetable garden every year and her flowerbeds were always filled with a variety of beautiful blooms. She was an excellent cook and her delicious holiday meals were topped off with the most amazing apple and pumpkin pies.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Della; husband, Dick; son, Gary; brothers, David, James and William Doyle; sisters, Stella Holyck, Theresa Gano, Betty Ahrens, Mary Mecchi and Agnes Palmer; and great-granddaughter, Alia Byrne-Amaya.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Byrne (Liz) of Kalispell, Sandy Ramstead (John) of Great Falls, and Kathy Bolt (Ed) of Columbia Falls; her brother, Leonard Doyle, of Whitefish; and sister, Patsy Chamberlain, of Great Falls; grandchildren, Ryan Byrne (Jamy), Chris Ramstead (Nicole), Courtney Ramstead, Rachel Tozer (Chris), Rose Doepker (Tim), and Jacob Byrne (Mahala); great-grandchildren, Samuel Byrne-Amaya, Gabriel Byrne-Amaya, Jordyn Ramstead, Henry Ramstead, Jenson Tozer and Sullivan Doepker; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a devoted mother who sacrificed so much for her children. Her passing leaves a hole in all our hearts. We love you, Mom. Please watch over us until we are together again.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 14, at 1 p.m. at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 Main Street, Kalispell. A celebration of life will take place this summer at a time to be determined later.
The family would like to thank everyone at Home Options Hospice for their compassionate care.