Ruth Elaine Byrd

Obituary of Ruth Elaine Byrd
March 9, 1932 – January 24, 2017

Ruth Elaine Byrd, who was known as "Elaine" throughout her life, died peacefully during the morning of January 24, 2017 at the age of 84. Her loving family, friends and caregivers surrounded and supported Elaine as her health declined. Elaine, who is loved by many and will be truly missed by all who knew her, lived a long, fulfilled and richly blessed life.

Elaine was born on March 9, 1932 in Denver, Colorado (the second of three daughters) to Donald and Florence Buck Hall. She graduated from Englewood High School in 1949, and immediately went to work for The Equitable Life Insurance Company in Denver as an insurance secretary. She lived in Englewood, Colorado until her marriage to James R. Byrd of Huntington, West Virginia, in Denver on January 25, 1952. Two sons were born to this union, Richard ("Rick") and Gerald ("Jerry"). After their marriage, Elaine and James lived for several months in Rodeo, California, until James was honorably discharged from the Navy. They then returned to Denver and lived there until 1973 when they moved to Phoenix, Arizona. While in Denver, Elaine also worked several years as a secretary for Messiah Lutheran Church on Colorado Boulevard with her sister-in-law, Rosa Mae Porter (of blessed memory) and then as legal secretary to a local attorney, Ruthmary Fabiano. In 1980, Elaine and James returned to Colorado from Phoenix, and purchased a home in Westminster. While living in Westminster, she worked several years as part of the lunch program at the Broomfield Senior Center. Elaine loved dogs, trout fishing and enjoyed sports, particularly watching in person or on television her beloved Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Rockies. She adored her family and her friends of many years and loved sharing memories during their many visits.

Elaine is survived by her two sons, Rick Byrd and his wife, Leslie Selig Byrd of San Antonio, Texas, and Jerry Byrd, and his wife Jackie Byrd of Albany, Georgia; four grandchildren, James Byrd of Albany, Georgia, Jordan Byrd of Austin, Texas, Emily Byrd and her fiancé Noah Donnenfield of Las Cruces New Mexico, and Jerilyn Knight and her husband Jesse of Bowling Green, Kentucky; her sister, Kay Marilyn Womick of Jacksonville, Oregon; her sister-in-law, Lorene Grazier of Murrieta, California; her brothers-in-law, Leslie Byrd and his wife Grace Byrd of Brighton, Colorado and C.E. ("Ed") Byrd and his wife Lorene Byrd of Denver, Colorado; and 18 nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, James R. Byrd on August 26, 2002 and by her infant older sister before Elaine was born.

The family would like to thank Cindy Fehlman (with Visiting Angels), the staff of Sunrise of Westminster (Reminiscence Unit), and Suncrest Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Elaine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Elaine to the Arvada Christian Church for use in connection with their ministry to senior citizens and the dying.

Elaine's family will receive visitors on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the West Metro Chapel of Newcomer Funeral Home, located at 901 S. Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the West Metro Chapel of Newcomer Funeral Home. A private interment will follow on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

May her memory be a blessing.