Loretta (Laurie) Byrnes, 83

Laurie (née Hart) Byrnes, 83, of Salem, SC and formerly of Woodstock, IL died October 4, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Laurie was born December 12, 1940, in Evanston, IL to Loretta (née Shelby) and Leo Hart; she was their first surviving child. She grew up in Glenview, IL and was always an accomplished student. She attended Marywood Academy in Evanston and Alverno College (Milwaukee) upon her graduation from high school.

While still in high school in 1958, Laurie was set up on a blind date with John Byrnes. They dated for nearly two years before marrying on February 27, 1960, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glenview, IL. Together they shared a life and marriage that spanned 56 years.

Throughout her life, Laurie was a dedicated and active member of the workforce. She held various positions in a variety of fields including school textbook publishing at Scott Foresman, in the public sector for Evanston Park District, and–after completing her degree in 1977–becoming a public school teacher. That same year, John and Laurie co-founded what became Floors, Inc–a hardwood flooring company in Woodstock that continues to be locally owned and operated today by their son Dave. Laurie played a significant role in the company’s success, and another sister company she started, for 25+ years until her retirement.

Laurie enjoyed traveling with John and their friends. Their adventures took them across the country and around the world including to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and to Ireland, where they made seven memorable visits. One of their final trips together was a cruise along the Danube River, which introduced Laurie to what became one of her favorite cities, Budapest.

Above all, Laurie cherished her family. She was a devoted mother to her four children: Dave (Cris) Byrnes of Woodstock, IL; Carol (Dale) Ames of Edgefield, SC; Megan (Mike) Scully of Wilmette, IL; and Katy (Otto) Kaiser of Madison, WI. Her legacy also includes eight grandchildren—Nicole (Corey) Lefebvre, Kyle Ames, Sam Byrnes, Luc Byrnes, Max Scully, Jack Scully, Wyatt Kaiser, and Quinn Kaiser–and her great-granddaughter, Evelyn Lefebvre.

Laurie is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild; her sister Barbara (David) Kacsmark; her brother Lee Hart; and countless other family, friends, colleagues, and admirers. She is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents Leo and Loretta Hart, and her sister Lillian Hart.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of the organizations where Laurie volunteered her time: Habitat for Humanity of Oconee County or Golden Harvest Food Bank (both in Seneca, South Carolina).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, 10:30 am, at Schneider, Leucht Merwin & Cooney 1211 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098. Interment will be private.