Byrne was born July 23, 1926, in Greens Farms, Conn., to Howard S. Tierney and Belle T. Tierney. She attended Greens Farms School and Bedford School in Westport, Conn., before attending St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Va., Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Conn., and Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Md. After graduation, she attended Barnard College and Finch College in New York, N.Y.
She lived with her second husband, Donn Byrne, in Southport, Conn., and Delray Beach. In 1962, she co-founded the Fairfield Women's Exchange, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 1977, she was co-chair of one of the largest consignment sale benefits for Fairfield Country Day School.
Byrne is survived by her children, Elliott W. Reed of Fairfield, Conn., David M. Reed of New Canaan, Conn., John R. Byrne of Orlando and Peter R. Byrne of Indianapolis; stepchildren, Jody Byrne of Streetsboro, Ohio, Donn H. Byrne II of Albuquerque, N.M., and Suzanne S. Byrne of Santa Fe, N.M.; sister-in-law, Jane Tierney of Fairfield, Conn.; and 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, Elliott W. Reed and Donn H. Byrne; brother, Howard S. Tierney Jr. of Fairfield, Conn.; and sister, Gene T. Lee of Houston, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 651 Pequot Aven., Southport, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Women's Exchange, 332 Pequot Ave., Southport, CT 06890.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.