Elaine Byrd

Elaine Julia Kobylanski Byrd, 86, of West Hartford, Connecticut passed away peacefully October 8 following a brief illness. Elaine was born in Gary, Indiana to the late Wiktor Kobylanski and Stella Bikin Kobylanski. The family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida while she was in high school. She received her BA from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, a MS in chemistry from Iowa State University, a MS in psychology from James Madison University, and a PhD in psychology from the University of Virginia. A long-time resident of Waynesboro, Virginia, she was employed as a psychologist at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and as a school psychologist in Augusta County, Virginia and Tarboro, North Carolina. She began her career teaching chemistry at Waynesboro High School. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and various professional associations. She devoted much of her life to helping others. Among her numerous volunteer activities, she served as president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women, president of the Alzheimer’s’ Association’s Shenandoah Valley Chapter, and a member of the Valley Community Services Board. She was a deeply involved member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, serving as parish secretary, a member of the parish council, a lay reader, and a Eucharistic minister. Elaine had a keen interest in politics and current affairs and a love of travel, making frequent trips in the US and abroad with friends. She also enjoyed theatre, symphony, lectures, and her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. Elaine’s family was very important to her and she visited them regularly. She is survived by her sons Gregory Byrd and his wife Mary of Longmont, Colorado, and Christopher Byrd and his wife Kimberley of West Hartford, and four grandchildren: Elizabeth Byrd of Denver, Charles Byrd of Longmont, Edward Byrd of Boston, and Kent Byrd of West Hartford. She was preceded in death by her husband Carol Byrd. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, at 10 A.M. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. The family will receive visitors on Friday, October 16 from 5-7 P.M. at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro at a future date. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/cwva).

Elaine Byrd

October 8, 2015