STEEP FALLS- Suzanne Deane Byrnes, 80, of Steep Falls, Maine, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 24, 1944, in Portland, Maine, the daughter of Evin and Ethel Brown.
Suzanne was married to her soulmate and best friend, Thomas Byrnes, for fifty-four wonderful years. Together, they created a close-knit family and a rich tapestry of memories, sharing a profound bond.
She was a loving sister to her predeceased siblings, Sharon Arey and Angus Brown. She is survived by her beloved children Yvonne Phelps, spouse Alan of South Portland, ME; Debra Coolbrith of Steep Falls, ME; Kevin Dyer, partner Jeanne of Portland, ME; Thomasena Thayer, spouse Dan of Charlotte, MI; Tabitha Hilton, spouse Charles of East Waterboro, ME; and her predeceased sons Glen Dyer spouse Jane of Portland, ME, and Clinton Dyer. She was a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren and a cherished great-grandmother to nine great-grandchildren. She was a loving sister-in-law and an aunt to many nieces and nephews.
In her early years, Suzanne worked as a hairdresser but later pursued her education and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maine in 1986 while raising her six children. She went on to have a fulfilling career as a Licensed Social Worker for Catholic Charities of Portland, ME, dedicating 35 years to helping clients with dual diagnose mental illness before retiring in 2009. After retirement, she volunteered for the Center for Grieving Children for a few years. Then, for years beyond retirement, she became deeply involved with the Steep Falls Baptist Church, where she served in many roles and contributed her time to the food pantry/soup kitchen, helping to spread God's word and helping others. You could find Suzanne reading science fiction, mystery novels, the Bible, or drawing with her favorite mediums. She was a kind soul, and anyone who met her loved her. She was known for her beautiful, contagious smile and for spreading kindness and positivity wherever she went.
Suzanne's legacy of love, service, and friendship will forever remain in the hearts of her family, friends, and the community she cherished. She will be missed dearly but remembered as a wonderful, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, partner, best friend, and friend.
May Suzanne rest in eternal peace, embraced by the love of God.
Celebration of Life at:
Steep Falls Baptist Church
35 Main St.
Steep Falls, Maine 04085
On February 15, 2025, at 11:30 am
Graveside Burial will be held in late spring at Brooklawn Cemetery.
A Poem to My Lord by Suzanne Byrnes
When you washed away my sins and set me free.
Thy Holy Spirit you left with me.
You are the lamb that saved my life.
You helped me conquer all earthly strife.
I was the woman at the well.
Looking for love in all the wrong places.
It's no wonder that I fell.
You picked me up and gave me living water,
Which didn't come from that well.
Thy living water cleansed me through and through.
And it could do the same for you.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com