Patricia B Merwin

Patricia (Pat) Ann Byrne passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024 in Jacksonville, FL. Pat was born January 26, 1940 in LaCrosse, WI to Bernard Phillip Byrne and Gladys Woxland Byrne. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1957, where she played the violin in the orchestra.

She married William Merwin in 1961 and had 3 boys, John, Michael, and William. The family moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1973 when Bill took a position as an instructor at the newly founded University of North Florida. Pat graduated from the University of North Florida with “Highest Distinction” with a BA in Elementary Education in 1976 and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1980.

She taught at Arlington Country Day School and John Carroll Montessori School before entering the public school system in 1978, where she taught grades 1, 2, and 3 at Pinedale Elementary, Normandy Elementary, Sheffield Elementary, and Loretto Elementary, retiring from the Assistant Principal position in 2008.

Pat’s elementary education background made her a patient, creative, and fun-loving mother and grandmother. Christmas Eve would often end with an impromptu concert of Christmas Carols with each grandchild playing an instrument supplied by Pat. The family’s annual beach week in St. Augustine included costume night, hat night, game night, and musical instruments all coordinated by Pat. One summer she got a booth at the nearby Farmer’s Market for the kids to sell their hand-made perler bead designs.

Pat loved to travel and visited many countries with her girlfriends. She and her long-time companion, George, liked to explore Florida, often fishing and scalloping and going off the beaten path to discover the state’s hidden gems.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, brothers John Byrne and Robert Byrne, ex-husband William Merwin, and companion George Kramer. She is survived by sons: John (Margie), Mike (Donna) and Bill (Felicia), 7 grandchildren: Michael (Savannah), Lindsay, Mark, Katelyn, Tyler (James), Jordan, Syd, and 2 great-grandchildren: Jaden and Cameron, as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss her dearly.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 28, at 10:00am at Beaches Chapel by Hardage Giddens, 1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach 32250. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice.