Doris F. Byrne

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris F. Byrne on May 14, 2025, at the age of 91, a loving and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, cousin and friend. She was the wife of the late John P. Byrne.

Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late James and Helen (Killilea) Kennedy. She was a graduate of Saint Xavier's Academy in Providence and continued her education at various colleges.

Her family life led her from Providence to Southern California, and back to Cranston where she resided for several years. Later in life she relocated to Portsmouth, RI and, subsequently, to Saint Clare Home in Newport.

Doris was a valued employee at T.D. Brown, Inc. for many years. Later, she was a bookkeeper for the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Her known experience led her to the RI Division of Family Support. Outside of her professional experience, she was the President of her condominium association.

When Doris was only five years old, her mother passed away. She was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother and her fraternal aunts. She married her wonderful husband, Jack, and together they raised four remarkable children. Their dedication to their family was their priority and admired by so many.

Doris immensely enjoyed spending time with her family. Her interests included reading (especially the Projo ... cover to cover), dining out, researching and more researching Irish genealogy, drinking tea and Newport Creamery Awful Awful's. Soap operas and police dramas were her programs of choice.

After retirement she spent a considerable amount of time at various medical appointments. An activity that she truly looked forward to because she so enjoyed meeting and engaging with all of her amazing medical care givers. She was also an admiring fan of the Cranston, Portsmouth and Newport Fire and Rescue Departments.

A devoted Catholic, she was most recently a member of Saint Barnabas Church in Portsmouth. She was previously a devoted congregant of Saint Mark's Parish in Cranston and Saint Michaels in Providence.

Doris leaves behind her children James Byrne and his partner, Dot, of Derry, NH, Cathleen and her husband, George of Portsmouth, Ann Marie and her partner, Steven of Johnston, her grandchildren Brendan Smith, Meghan Smith, Ashley Proulx, Andrew Proulx and his wife, Sarah, her great grandchildren, Julian and Jacobi.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John P. Byrne and their son, John P. Byrne, Jr.

Doris‘s family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at the St. Clare Home and Newport Hospital.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 4:00PM- 7:00PM in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9:30AM in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. Burial will follow at St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the St. Clare Home, St. Clare-Newport, 309 Spring St, Newport, RI 02840, or the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, 1 Corliss Park, Providence, RI 02908, or at https://www.rideaf.net/