Kathleen A. Byrne

Kathleen was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Buffalo, New York as an infant with her father, Patrick; her mother, Winifred; and her siblings Mary, Daniel, Winifred, Patrick, and John, who all preceded her in death.

In 1959, she was introduced to a state trooper, Eugene Michael Byrne, and began an adventure spanning more than five decades. They began their family in Jamestown, NY. When their children were well proven in school, she began working outside the home–first in real estate, and later with the New York State Assembly. There she made lifelong friends, including Yvonne McNally, with whom she recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

She was immensely proud of being a first-generation Irish American. Kathleen graduated from Annunciation High School in 1954 and attended Canius College. A high point of her adult life was being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention to choose the eventual president of the United States.

Gene and Kathleen had four children: Patrick (Melanie), Timothy (Marie), and Maribeth (Mustapha). She was predeceased by Christopher in 2016. Collectively they have eight grandchildren–Katherine, Devlin (Heather), Elizabeth (Derrick), Patrick (Gina), Quinn, Alex (Jenna), Brendan, and Colin. They were also blessed with five great-grandchildren.

Gene and Kathleen retired to North Port, Florida, where they spent 25 years making dear friends, taking up golf, and traveling extensively. Kathleen enjoyed the social life of retirement where she contributed to her local newspaper, pursued interests in the arts, and laughed hard with her good friend Lindy Johnson. Gene passed in 2018, after which Kathleen moved closer to family in Rochester, NY.

Kathleen will be remembered and honored on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Jeremiah’s Tavern, 2164 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd., Fairport, NY 14450. Family will welcome guests from 2-5 with a service beginning at 2:15. Information at byrnin@gmail.com.

Those wishing to remember Kathleen may do so with a donation to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (422 S. Clinton Ave. Rochester, NY 14620-1198), whose services allowed her several more years of independent living. She strongly encouraged everyone to read and vote.