Mary Byrnes

PAXTON -- Mary A. "Alice" (nee Butler) Byrnes Crowe of Worcester, a resident of Paxton, MA for over 50 years, passed over on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2015, from exhaustion after a long and vibrant life of 84 years, as well as, from the complications of dementia. Born in Oxford, MA on January 6, 1931, she was the only daughter of the late James M. and Grace H. (nee Meagher) Butler and the sister of their only son, the late James F. Butler. She leaves behind her two daughters, Kathleen Dale and Mary-Jeanne (M.J.) Byrnes, both of Paxton, MA. She also leaves her son, Dr. Jack E. Byrnes, Jr. her daughter-in-law, Arlene N. Lindemann Byrnes, and her three grandchildren; Liam Patrick; Colin Matthew; and, Caralie Rhiannon, all of Springfield, IL. She also leaves behind her former husband, Jim Crowe of Colorado; 3 nieces and 1 nephew; and, her idolized Himalayan cat, Xie-Xie. A graduate of the former St. Louis High School, Webster, MA, she obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clark University. After interrupting her schooling to start her family, she returned to the outside work world after completing requirements at both secretarial and real estate school. She went to work for the Commonwealth, at the germination of the UMASS Medical School and later Medical Center. She participated in every turn of its consistent growth for 22 years, culminating in her creation and execution of the Directorship over the Dept. of Allied Health. There she personally oversaw the placement of hundreds of area college students, per semester, into internships at the UMASS Medical School and other area research/professional locations in the medical and caring professions. Enriching her storied life, and the lives of her beloved children, were her commitment and active participation in movements for social; political; educational; and, religious change that she believed would contribute to the betterment of the lives in the world around her. She filled her personal time with creativity through activities of gardening and landscaping; baking; and, interior design at her own cherished home or at those of loved ones and friends. An exceptionally gifted, self-taught clothing designer and seamstress, she delighted in creating the ideal weddings of local women by executing their, and their wedding parties', coordinated dream gowns and headpieces. A funeral will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2015, from Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery in Oxford. Calling hours are Wednesday, February 18, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Roch's Church and Cemetery, 334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, or to Daybreak, c/o YWCA Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608, or to the M.S.P.C.A. - Angell Headquarters, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.