Marjorie Jane Byron

Marjorie J. Pinney Byron, 84, of Salem and formerly of East Longmeadow, Mass, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Lewis Gale Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with a lung disease. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Francis (Frank) Byron; her granddaughter, Amanda Byron Rydell Nagy (Chris), who died in 2011 of Melanoma at age 32 at Morristown Hospital, NJ; and her four wonderful siblings. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Rydell (Carl) of Salem, VA, and Frances Fortier (Bob) of Colleyville, TX; granddaughter, Sara Rydell of Roanoke, VA; grandson, Rob Fortier (Rene); and her sweet great-granddaughters, Lily, Stella, and Ruby Jones, of Roanoke, VA. Many loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of her siblings also survive her. Marj was born in 1929 in Springfield, Mass. The family moved to East Longmeadow, Mass in 1957, and remained there until 1996. She was a 20-year employee of R. E. Phelan Company in East Longmeadow, and then she owned and operated the Fredericks sweater store in the mills in Ware, Mass, until retiring and moving to Pensacola, FL. Shortly after Franks death in 2006, she moved to Salem to live with Carol and Carl. Marj was a strong and independent woman, and was very active. She loved all sports, but especially playing golf and bowling, and doing jigsaw puzzles, until her health began to fail. Her warm smile and generous heart will be greatly missed but never forgotten. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 4 p.m. at the Valley Word Church at 1828 Loch Haven Drive in Roanoke, VA. Pastor Eddie Crabtree will preside over the service. In lieu of flowers, Marj requested that donations be made to an existing scholarship fund in Amandas honor at Glenvar High School. Please send scholarship contributions to The Rydell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Glenvar High School at 4549 Malus Drive in Salem, VA 24153. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com. The Byron family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.Service Information

Thursday, May 15th, 2014 4:00pm,

Valley Word Church

1828 Loch Haven Drive Roanoke, Virginia

Interment Location

John M Oakey & Son Crematory

305 Roanoke Blvd Salem, VA 24153