Lorraine Geyer Byrnes

Lorraine Geyer Byrnes, 92, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, NC died Wednesday, February 9, 2011. Born in Chicago, IL on December 1, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Norman Oscar Geyer and Mabel Olivia Turnbloom Geyer. She was the wife of the late John Thomas "Jack" Byrnes. They were married forty years prior to his death in 1983. In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine was preceded in death by a brother, Byron Geyer, MD.Lorraine was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and was active in the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club.Lorraine grew up in Chicago and graduated from Carlton College in Northfield, MN in 1940. She married Jack Byrnes in 1942 and raised their children in Delavan, WI. She was a social worker for the Walworth County Department of Social Services for many years. Lorraine was an avid golfer, winning numerous club championships at Delbrook Country Club in Wisconsin and Mimosa Hills Country Club in Morganton. She was also a fierce competitor at bridge and any other game that came her way. Most important, she was a wonderful mother and loyal friend. She has passed on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren her zest for life, her love of laughter, her belief in education, her competitive spirit, and her certainty that the most important thing in life is family.Lorraine is survived by her children, Barbara Cincera and husband, David, of Allentown, PA, John Byrnes, Jr. and wife, Jeanne, of Wauwatosa, WI, Laurie Bosman and husband, Ruud, of Warwick Neck, RI, Sharon Herman and husband, Steve, of Morganton, and Daniel Byrnes of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Amy Santarelli, Brian Cincera, Jill Freret, Kevin Byrnes, Amy Cincera, Nicole Bosman, Corey Bosman, and Aaron Herman; great-grandchildren, Reilly, Brennan, Decker, and Griffin Freret, Katie and Jonathan Santarelli, Isabelle and Sofia Cincera, and Stella and Lucy Byrnes; and a number of nieces and nephews who always regarded her with great affection.The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 14, 2011 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Morganton, NC with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.