Gertrude “Ann” Byrne, 88, a long time resident of New Canaan and Wilton, died Tuesday, June 4th, peacefully in her home, surrounded by family.
Ann Byrne
Born March 12, 1936 in New Rochelle, NY, she was the daughter of the late Thomas E. Kerwin and Gertrude H. Kerwin. Ann graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary – Park Terrace in 1954, then Marymount Manhattan College in 1958.
During college, Ann met the late Yale graduate, Dr. John J. Byrne, falling in love and marrying in 1959. Shortly after marrying, Ann and John moved to Wappingers Falls, New York, where she took on the role and responsibility of caregiver, caring for her sick mother. Eventually, Ann and the family moved to Virginia, where she embraced the role of mother, taking care of her 5 young children.
In 1978, Ann, John and the kids moved to New Canaan, Connecticut, where they planted their roots and raised their family. Despite the craziness of raising 5 children, Ann thrived in the chaos and loved her children deeply. Undeterred by the busy, competing schedules, Ann never missed a sports practice drop off or a game. It was a testament to how committed she remained to her kids and her family throughout her lifetime.
As the children grew older, Ann decided to go back to school, graduating from Norwalk Community College in 1988 with a degree in accounting. She worked as an accountant for multiple companies over the years, including Ox Ridge Hunt Club and AIFS up until her retirement.
Ann had many hobbies, but one she enjoyed most was spending time at the Opera and theater with her beloved John and friends. Later in life, Ann became a passionate reader, joining several book clubs. For many years, she enjoyed spending her time playing bridge at the Wilton Senior Center.
Ann was an avid traveler. She enjoyed traveling all over the world with John, the kids and their friends. Later in life, she was blessed to meet George Herhold. Ann and George also enjoyed traveling and boating together. A highlight was when Ann took part in George’s big sailing voyage from New England to Florida.
In her retirement, Ann was an active member of various organizations in the Wilton community, including being a board member of Stay at Home, a member of the Encore Club, and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
Ann is remembered fondly by her loved ones as a strong, remarkable woman, who was kind and generous in every way. Ann was proud of the beautiful, large family she built. She had a deep love and appreciation for her 7 grandchildren spread across the world, who she kept in regular touch with, through FaceTime on her iPad.
In addition to her parents, Ann is predeceased by her husband, John, in 1992, son, Michael in 2014, partner, George in 2009, brother, Thomas in 2009, and sister Kathryn in 2023.
She is survived by her children John Joseph (Tiffany) Byrne III, Thomas Kerwin (Gemma) Byrne, Kathryn Ann Byrne and Gregory Francis (Natalie) Byrne, her daughter-in-law Mia Byrne, and her 7 grandchildren; Emily, Keri, Kyle, Matthew, Michael, Elissa, and Emily, as well as various nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan on Sunday, June 9th from 2-5pm. The funeral service will be at St. Aloysius Parish, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, on Monday, June 10th at 11:00am. A burial will immediately follow at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John J. Byrne Faculty Support Endowment in Accounting for the College of Business #1000686 at James Madison University, through the following link: https://bit.ly/ByrneAccountingEndowment