Maureen C. Byrne

Maureen C. Byrne March 29, 2020 Maureen C. Byrne, age 89. Born, November 7, 1930 (Philadelphia, PA), Died, March 29, 2020 (St. Louis, MO). Fortified by the sacraments of Holy Mother Church and after bravely enduring a long illness, Maureen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, and beloved hospice caretakers. Maureen C. Byrne was born in Philadelphia, PA. and was a graduate of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, class of 1948. Being a mother to her daughter, Maureen was her greatest joy. Maureen was a lovely homemaker and made very tasty chocolate coconut Easter eggs. She was an early devotee of Julia Child which occasionally resulted in some unusually tasting and looking family dinners (sweetbreads, she ate alone). Maureen bravely and lovingly cared for her mother, Catherine, for 10 years as she battled Alzheimer’s Disease until her last breath at the age of 91. In 1998, she moved to St. Louis, MO to be closer to her daughter, Maureen. Maureen and her daughter enjoyed many day trips around the St Louis area. A memorable outing was watching the total solar eclipse in 2017. Maureen viewed the eclipse on a sweltering August day at Jefferson Barracks with her daughter, niece and nephew, Joanne and Scot, plus friends, Martin and Kathy. Maureen and her daughter were season subscribers to Clayton Community Theatre where they enjoyed many Sunday afternoon matinees together. Maureen’s favorite hobby was scouring thrift stores for vintage jewelry and books. Maureen enjoyed watching “Wheel of Fortune” and “Downton Abbey”. She will be remembered for her love of family and friends, theater, opera and as well as sewing, reading biographies and solving jigsaw puzzles. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, Ignatius L. Byrne Sr. and Catherine C. Byrne and family; Ignatius L Byrne Jr., Martin Byrne, Richard Byrne; and Joanne M. Lee; her former husband, Leon Highkin, and Leon’s family: Nicholas and Mona (nee Highkin) Magnis, and Richard and Vida (nee Highkin) Golder. She is survived by her daughter, Maureen K. Highkin, her brother, Anthony R. Byrne, and her extended family: Rosemarie Nemeth, Michael C. (Anna Eckhart) Byrne, Deirdre Byrne, Sean Byrne; Michael R. Byrne and Diane Byrne Elbe; Michelle (nee Golder) and Joseph Camperson, Robert and Joanne Harrison Golder, Scot and Joanne (nee Magnis) Boulton, Elizabeth (Mera Hoddinott) Boulton and Alexa Boulton; David Magnis and Jeanne Powell, John and Nancy (nee Magnis) Thursby, Richard and Ellen Magnis, and many beloved grand nieces, nephews and their families. She also had a special place in her heart for dear friends, Tony and Grace Munie and family; Katie Young; the late Sr. Dorothy Beck acj and beloved hospice caretakers Selma Mohammed and Shahrzad Rouhani. Services: Arrangements are with Lupton Chapel (St. Louis, MO) and Jacob F. Ruth Funeral Directors, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA), with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Philadelphia, PA). Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in Maureen’s memory can be made to the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1242 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146.