1947-2003

POULSBO, WASH. – Claudia Bryant Byrd, 56, of Poulsbo, Wash., went home to be with her Lord on Nov. 25, while at her home with family and friends. She was diagnosed with Melanoma three and a half years ago and with God’s grace, she courageously met the challenge before her.

Claudia was born in Farmington, July 27, 1947 to Norman E. and Natalie Meader Bryant. She graduated from Jay High School in 1965 and from Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in 1968.

She married Gary Byrd on April 5, 1969 at Jay Baptist Church and moved to Washington. While her husband was in the Navy, they lived in the Philippines, California and Hawaii. While in California, their daughter, Cathy, was born. After leaving Hawaii, they moved to Washington where they lived for 27 years.

Claudia was an active member of the Silverdale Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for 12 years and served on many committees. She also worked at Martha and Mary Health Care in Poulsbo, Wash. for ten years.

She was a very active person and enjoyed traveling and always kept in touch with her family in Maine. She enjoyed handcrafts and had many collections. Claudia had a strong faith and lived each day to the fullest, with excitement and enthusiasm for her Lord and for life.

Survivors include: her parents, Norman and Natalie (Meader) Bryant of Jay; her husband, Gary of Poulsbo, Wash.; her daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Steve Taylor and grandson, Isaac of Tacoma, Wash.; three sisters and their husbands and children, Kay (Bryant) Hamlin and Tom of East Dixfield and their children, Randy and Becky, Emily (Bryant) Nutt and Jim of North Jay and their children, Solomon and Sarah and Betty (Bryant) Navarro and Tony of Farmington and their children, Melissa, Nicolasa, Juliana, Cristina and Isabela; several great-nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles and cousins.