Marjorie M. Byrne

Today I lost my life partner. Marjorie Elizabeth Monaghan Byrne. 2/23/1946 to 1/16/2025.

Time of death 2:37 PM.

Cause: Small Cell Lung Cancer, diagnosed 10/12/2024, stage 4 - stage 4 means it had all ready metastasized.

We were in the hospital or rehab/nursing home from 10/12/2024 until 12/12/24 fighting this, two rounds of chemo, then covid hit, then two different pneumonias, another infection - got better, went home 12/12 to home health trying to gain strength for round 3 of chemo, it got postponed, she just wasn't strong enough. The tumor on her R lung was growing - small cell is very aggressive, and it just went downhill very fast this week.

 She was always a fighter and stood up to things. She was no different here, but in many ways, you don't fight cancer, it must be resisted. She was good at that, too, but it was too much, too fast. Cherished family friend Denise Rehberger, hospice nurse, was able to organize hospice colleagues to help Marj to the other side these last two days to a dignified painless and gentle transition. Her last breath was free and quiet. 

Her brother Jay was there and able to express his love, so was Denise. Our nephew Colin was there to represent the family and was a rock. Denise - life -long friend and our guide, and Jovy Javier our caregiver. My sister Sue and husband Ken were able to express their love by phone from Florida even in Marj's weakened state.

Marj was born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Jananne Blish Monaghan and JB Monaghan. As she told the story, she contracted lumbar (leg) polio (long before vaccines) at the age of two after falling into one of the local recreational lakes. She was taken to Vicksburg, Mississippi to be treated in a clinic run by nuns employing the Sister Kenny Method – wrapping warm moist blankets around the extremities along with physical therapy. For Marj, it worked after a grueling 9 months. She showed then her resilience and fighting spirit – never to be underestimated. She also developed the ability at a tender age to conquer being alone and to fend for herself in that huge, impersonal children’s ward. In her early 20s, she also conquered tuberculosis, once again, in isolation but independent and developed a strong spirit. Marj stood strong. Her strength and suffer no fools quality is what made her stand out to me, though truth be told, I may have been one of those fools early on. 

The family moved from Mississippi to Evanston, IL when she was nine. Teachers at first thought that she had a learning disability because of her thick southern accent and her need for thick glasses. Underestimating her keen intelligence; she proved them wrong. Once corrected, she did well in school, graduating from Evanston Township High School and attended Millikin University for a year before entering the working world. 

Marj learned the world of bookstore management under the eye of her father at Chandlers in Evanston, then ran the bookstore at Kendall College on the campus in Evanston. She then applied her skills as an administrative assistant in the Evanston-Glenbrook Hospital system for over 30 years. She was the Assistant Director of Volunteers at Glenbrook Hospital upon retirement and took a break. She then enjoyed a short return to work, working with Dr. Steven Boas in his Pediatric Pulmonology Practice getting to see all the little kids every day, before permanently retiring and returning to her voracious reading days and dominance as a jigsaw and crossword puzzle queen.

Marj and I were challenged with infertility. It was a time of emotional challenge before many of the modern miracles. We struggled through some dark times. What brightened her life were her many nieces and nephews and now grand nieces and nephews, about whom she was proud, and she loved very much. 

Marj leaves behind her husband, Dr. Joseph Byrne, Psy.D., who without her love, great support, forbearance and patience, he could never have become what life asked. She leaves her dearest brother Jay (Yvonne) Monaghan, her dear cousin, Jada Monaghan Little of Birmingham, Alabama, her cherished sister and brother-in-law Susan (Ken) Batko, cherished friend Denise (Mark) Rehberger, and Cherished Friends Bud (Diane) Spikings. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews: Chip (Tim) Medley-Batko, Colin (Tiffany) Batko, Chelsie (Casey) Batko-Linhart, Catherine (Nick) Meili, Sean Rehberger, Elizabeth Rehberger, Devon Rehberger, David (Cynde) Spikings, Matt (Murray) Spikings, and Bethany (Josh) Alford. She leaves her devoted caregiver, Jovy Javier. 

Waiting for her is her beloved American Eskimo Dog, Quinn. Tail wagging with his welcoming yap and happy bark as she crosses the Rainbow Bridge, where one day both she and he will welcome us all. She will be cremated. We are working on how our remembrances will be expressed. Friends and family are celebrating her organically right now. There will be a more formal celebration of life announced when the weather warms up. It is all so surreal. Our 50th anniversary was last June 22nd. Every moment is the best and last.

If you should be so inclined to leave a donation memorial two suggestions are:

The American Cancer Society

https://donate.cancer.org/

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

https://secure.aspca.org/donate/

Please feel free chose your own favorite charity or organization or simply practice kindness and mercy toward others and yourself.