Elsie Muriel Byrne

Elsie M. Byrne, 87, passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 9, 2015, in Billings. Elsie was born on Feb. 17, 1928, in Boulder, and grew up in Boulder, Bozeman and Great Falls, and continued to reside in Montana for all of her life.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Paul; her parents, Gustav and Lulu Wallin; her brother, William R. Wallin; her sister, L. Blanche Ivanish; and an infant son, Michael. She is survived by a son, Douglas (wife Robin) of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Maureen Shipp (husband Doug) of Billings; and grandchildren Joe, Kelsey and Dillon Byrne, and Chris, Caitlin and Becca Shipp.

Elsie attended Gallatin County High School in Bozeman from 1943 to 1945. Then her family moved to Great Falls for her senior year in high school, and she graduated from Great Falls High School in 1946. She attended the University of Montana from 1947 to 1950, majoring in Spanish and minoring in English, and - after a period as a substitute teacher in Great Falls - taught these subjects in Montana for 23 more years, with 18 years at Montana high schools and junior high schools in Charlo, Glasgow, Brady and Dutton. She then tutored in Billings for five more years before retirement. Elsie met Paul E. Byrne at UM and they were married on June 1, 1951. They resided during their married life in Billings, Wolf Point, Glasgow, Great Falls, Brady and Dutton, returning to live in Billings in 1978. When she retired from teaching, at long last she could spend her time as a housewife, mother, devoted grandmother and an avid reader, as she had always dreamed she could!

Elsie was active in the Methodist Church for much of her earlier life, and then after retirement was a member of the St. Thomas Parish in Billings. She and Paul enjoyed participation in Marriage Encounter and a variety of Bible Studies at St. Thomas.

She enjoyed theater, and produced and directed a wide variety of high school plays. She also enjoyed playing cards and belonged to a number of bridge clubs during her life.

Mom and Grandma, we'll miss you, but we know you're now at peace with Dad and our Lord in a "lovely room in His mansion."

A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 2055 Woody Drive.