Janet Byrnes

St. George, UT - Janet Ruth Byrnes, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 14, 2015, at Dixie Regional Hospital in St. George, UT, after a brief illness. Janet was born May 28, 1943, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of William C. Young and Mina Robertson Young of Millbury, Massachusetts. Janet was married to Steven C. Byrnes, Sr. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 15, 2014.

Janet grew up in Millbury, Massachusetts until her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where she met her husband. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 1964 with a degree in elementary education. Steven and Janet moved back to central Massachusetts and Janet taught at several school systems before leaving the field to start a family. Her passions in life were raising and educating children. In addition to being a mother and a schoolteacher, Janet was also a Sunday school teacher, daycare provider, bank teller, instructional aide for the Auburn Middle School and also ran the Auburn Middle School library before illness forced her to resign her position. She was actively involved in church and developed a talent for art and poetry later in her life.

Janet is survived by her husband Steven, three children: Catherine of Cornville, AZ, Steven Jr. and his wife Catherine of Saint George, UT, and James and his wife JenniferJean of Worcester, MA; and nine beautiful grandchildren: Emily, Devon, Caitlin, Douglas, Michael, Connor, Colin, Tyghnan-Brey Rose and James II.

A celebration of Janet's life and Going Home service will be held at noon on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Desert Ridge Baptist Church, 1088 E Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah, 84770.

A Facebook page, "Celebrating the Life of Janet Byrnes," has been set up for those who knew and loved Janet and would like to share any thoughts or feelings with others who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Utah Chapter, Suite 101, 5296 South Commerce Drive, Murray, UT 84107 (801) 281-6618. To contact the family, correspondence may be sent to The Byrnes Family 957 Mariposa Circle, Saint George, UT 84790.