Mary Pat (Grier) Byrd

Mary Pat Byrd, 93, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019 after a long and fulfilling life. She entered this world on September 9, 1925 in Kansas City, MO. She is survived by her daughters, Pat “Sugar” Varbel (Ray), Sue Kline, Nancy Moke (Will), Anita Valentine (Doug), Vicki Schmahl (Pete), Cathy Melloy (Dan), Helen Knee-Wright (Glenn), Deanna Garnica (Laureano); and sons, Stephen (Lou Anne), Tom (Val). She is also survived by 46 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren...and counting. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Thomas and Mary Josephine Grier; husband, Robert L. Byrd; and her sons, Robert L (BoBy) Byrd II, Richard C. Byrd, daughter-in-law Sharon (Harper) Byrd, son-in-law Steve Knee and 5 grandchildren.

Mary Pat met her husband while living in Kansas City, and they married on October 4, 1942. Mary Pat quickly started working on building her large family, and with 5 children relocated to Albuquerque in 1950 to follow her husband who was to begin his career with Sandia Laboratories. They went on to have 7 additional children over the course of the next 16 years. During the course of time raising her children she pursued obtaining her GED attending night school and was awarded her GED in 1969.

She was a loving wife, amazing homemaker, phenomenal cook and a talented seamstress. Having 8 daughters, she always made sure to sew them matching Easter dresses along with many homecoming and prom dresses. She even completed a wedding dress for one her daughters.

Mary Pat and her husband were one of the founding families of Holy Ghost Parish which all of their children attended growing up. She was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and donated her time to washing and ironing the priests’ vestments and altar coverings for Holy Ghost and also St. Pius High School. In addition to her volunteer work she supplemented the family income by babysitting in her home.

In July 2012, she became a resident of an assisted living facility of New Mexico Health Care Systems; where she developed friendships and unique relationships with her care givers. Her family extends their thanks to the compassionate care and dedication by the owners and staff of New Mexico Health Care Systems.

She was an avid Perry Mason fan, loved reading and watching murder mysteries and solving crossword puzzles. She was a remarkable wife, sister, mother and grandmother, and she will be forever missed but her presence will be felt for an eternity and her legacy will live on.

Friends may visit at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave. NE after 12:00 pm with a Rosary to be recited at 12:30 pm. A Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm. Interment will take place at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to the American Diabetes Association.