Margaret Joan Byrne

Joan was born April 22, 1929 in New Prague, MN to Jerome and Mary (Adams) Byrne. She graduated from Good Council (Mankato, MN). She received a BA and Masters degrees from Mankato State University. She taught briefly in Wisconsin and Minnesota before she had the opportunity to teach for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). While at DoDDS, Joan taught at military bases in Puerto Rico, France, the Philippines and Okinawa.

Having gotten the “travel bug” while teaching for DoDDS, Joan visited many countries while at her various postings. Her most memorable trip was to Antarctica where she was able to see the penguins. After her retirement she moved from Okinawa to Pompano Beach, FL. Joan was an active member of St. Coleman’s Catholic Church and a volunteer at the Bonnet House (Ft. Lauderdale) and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton). Joan loved to read and as an early adopter of the computer, had a blog.

She is survived by her four nephews, Jerome (Mary) Hill of MN, Joseph (Jan) of WA, Mathew (Jack) of GA, Owen (Lisa) of NE and sister in law Patricia Hill of MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step father Dave Poster, sister Mariana and brother in law Dr. Robert Hill.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Coleman’s Catholic Church Pompano Beach on Thursday June 8th, 2023 at 10:30AM. A Funeral Mass at All Saints Catholic Church, New Richland, MN at 11:00am on July 13, 2023. Visitation from 10:30AM-11:00AM and the burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Mary’s Township, MN.