PORTLAND – Leona V. Byrne, 84, of Beacon Street, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, at her home, with her family at her side.

She was born June 13, 1920, in Rumford, a daughter of Leo and Dinora Brochu Whooley. She was educated in Rumford Schools, and was a 1939 graduate of Stephens High School.

She married Anthony J. Byrne on Oct. 3, 1948, in Rumford. She was employed for many years with the Oxford Paper Co., Rumford.

She was a communicant of St. Athanasius St. John Catholic Church.

Leona devoted all of her life to watching over her family. She had a magnetic personality, and people of all ages were drawn to her. She loved people, and people loved her right back. She was a patient at Casco Bay Dialysis, and her fellow patients and staff were her extended family.

Leona faced many adversities in her life, and met each challenge with courage and dignity. She especially loved to attend the shows of a local entertainer, Jose Duddy.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon A. Byrne and her companion, Doug Kebles, of Portland; a sister, Violet Gallant, of Mexico; two nieces, Lisa Abbott and Mary O’Neill; nephews, Michael Gallant and his wife, Cathy, Gary Gallant and his wife, Cindy, Thomas Gallant, and Tim Whooley; and great nieces and nephews, Beth, Josh, Jeff and Emily Gallant, Amanda and Kristina Gallant, Christopher Abbott, and Jeremy Eaton.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 23 years, Anthony J. Byrne, in 1971; two sisters, Lorraine Whooley and Lillian Whooley; a brother, Henry Whooley; and a niece, Debbie Eaton.

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