Kathy Byrne

Mary Kathleen Byrne, 66, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died June 13, 2017, in Rigby, Idaho, due to complications from cancer.

Kathy was born in Driggs on February 27, 1951, to Charles Elsworth and Mary Amanda Barnett Byrne. She attended elementary, junior high, and three years of high school in Teton Valley, and graduated from Challis High School in 1969. Kathy then attended Henager Business School in Boise. After completing her courses, she moved to, and worked in, Idaho Falls.

Kathy married Roger Steven Beard on March 19, 1971, in Driggs. To this union was born one son, Destry Steven Beard, on September 13, 1971, in Driggs. As Steven was in the U.S. Navy, the family relocated to California until Steven transferred out of the Navy, and the family moved back to Idaho Falls. Kathy became employed at General Adjustment Bureau (GAB), a job she thoroughly enjoyed until her health made it where she could no longer work. The family moved to Rigby during this time. Kathy was diagnosed with kidney disease in her twenties and underwent two kidney transplants throughout her life, bravely facing not only this condition, but other complications that followed over the next four decades.

After Kathy and Steven divorced, she moved to Idaho Falls, where she chose to go back to school, and attended VoTech, graduating in June 1990. This was an accomplishment she was truly proud of, as were her family and friends.

Kathy enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, going to yard sales, spoofing on strangers while out shopping with her sister and aunt, traveling, reading, and was up for just about anything until her health no longer made that possible.

Kathy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Destry and Kelti Beard of Rigby; a brother, Charles Byrne of San Diego, California; a sister, Sharyn (Brad) Hastings of Meridian; a half-sister, Judy Williamson of Georgia; her aunt, Alyce Clark, of Mackay; grandchildren Shad Beard, Austin (Holly) Beard, Kolby Beard, and Blais Davis, all of Rigby, and Tasen Cureton of Rexburg; a great grandson, Wesley Beard, of Rigby; her cat, Girlie Girl; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all who loved her.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and a great granddaughter, Oaklee Mae.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Cache-Clawson Cemetery, Friday, June 16, 2017.

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