Phyllis L. Byrne

Phyllis L. (Ott) Byrne, 95, of Methuen, passed away at home on May 25, 2025.  She was born in Lawrence, MA to Lena (Seuss) and Jacob Ott.  She graduated from Edward F Searles High School, Class of 1947.  During her working career, Phyllis was employed at Lawrence Gas and Electric, the Internal Revenue Service and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune.  Upon retirement, Phyllis was an active volunteer at the Berkeley Retirement Home, assisted in organizing Searles High School class reunions and involved in the Red Hat Society.  She enjoyed swimming at the North Andover YMCA and participating in activities and trips at the North Andover Senior Center.  Phyllis was also a member of the First Calvary Baptist Church in North Andover.

 Phyllis’s superpower was her ability to make and keep friendships. She maintained contact with far-flung family, friends and co-workers through the mail, phone and lunches out.  Always available with a sympathetic ear and genuine concern, Phyllis understood that to have friends you need to be a good friend, so she made sure to water her “Garden of Friendship” every day.  She cherished her time with them and appreciated the cards and phone calls she received from them during her illness.

Phyllis was the loving wife for 68 years to her late husband, Edward F. Byrne, Jr.  She is survived by her son, Edward F. Byrne, III and his wife, Sheila; her beloved grandchildren (who called her Mimi), Edward F. Byrne, IV and Erin Byrne; grandson-in-law, Joseph Cronin,  great grandchildren Miles Cronin-Byrne and Charlie Cronin-Byrne; her sister Kathleen Couillard and her husband, Tom Couillard;  nephew, David Archambault and his wife, Tashi; great nieces and nephews Tenzin Phentok, Ethan Archambault, Ocean Archambault and Forest Archambault. She was predeceased by her nephew, Michael Archambault.

The Byrne Family would like to acknowledge the staff of Tufts Care at Home Hospice, Lowell, MA and Visiting Angels, Newburyport, MA for their assistance during Phyllis’s illness.  A special thank you to caregivers Tanysha, Kimberly, Zobeida for their gentle and compassionate care of “Mimi” these last few months. You made a difficult burden lighter for those of us who loved her. Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a donation in her memory may be made to First Calvary Baptist, 586 Massachusetts Ave, North Andover, MA 01845 or the charity of your choice.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday May 29, 2025 from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be on Thursday May 30 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Phyllis’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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