Obituary of Catherine Jane Byrne

Catherine Jane Byrne (Riley) Age 91, died Saturday, January 16, 2016. Jane was born in Parral Chihuahua, Mexico to Thomas and Nellie Riley. She and her older brother, Malcolm grew up in El Paso, Texas. She graduated from the nursing program of El Paso's Hotel Dieu Hospital in 1945. Exhibiting the courage and determination that was to mark her life, she took a job with the Anaconda Copper Co. and set off on her own for South America where she worked at the hospital at the company's mine in Chuquicamata, Chile. There she met and married James Byrne. They lived in Chile for twenty-five years raising a family of four children. Jane was a devoted mother and a tireless volunteer for many charitable projects in the country she made her home. After leaving Chile she and her family lived in New York, Tucson and Denver. In their later years, Jane and Jim enjoyed summers in Maine with family. Jane loved gardening, cooking (her enchilada and spaghetti sauces were the best!), opera, travel and the Sonoran desert. Jane is survived by her daughters, Kathy, Maureen (Charles Lawton) and Vanessa (Kent Edwards); grandsons, Jess Knox (Kate), Shannon Lawton and Patrick Lawton (Melissa); great- grandchildren, Edson James, Lena Jane, Jarod, Aren, Caleb and Abigail and daughters-in-law, Vicki Byrne and Gail Campbell. She was predeceased by her husband, James Eamon and son, James Peter. A private memorial service will be held. Donations may be made to Casa de la Luz Foundation, 7740 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85704. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.