Jacqueline Gladys "Jackie" Byrnes, 85

Jacqueline Gladys Byrnes of Ronan was called home to be with the Lord on the morning of Feb. 7, 2024. She will always be remembered for her smile and willingness to help others.

Jackie came into this world on April 20, 1938, the oldest child of Gaston and Gladys Sinotte, in the small town of Lake Megantic, Quebec, Canada. She was joined later by a sister, Fern, and a brother, Brian. Jackie attended grammar school in Goffstown, N.H., while staying with her aunt and uncle, traveling back and forth to the homestead on Spider Lake in Lake Megantic where her family remained until they immigrated to Connecticut when Jackie was 15 years old.

In 1957, Jackie completed her public education at Chesire High School, in Cheshire, Conn.

She then attended X-ray school at Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, Conn., where she completed an Associate’s degree in 1960. It was during her schooling and work years at Waterbury Hospital that she made lifelong friends and met the love of her life, Donald Byrnes.

This chance meeting was the beginning of a 58-year adventure, traveling, raising children and moving across the U.S.

Jackie and Don married on April 3, 1965, and resided in Watertown, Conn., bringing three children into their family, Michael, Jeanne and Brian. In 1972 the family traveled across Canada and the U.S., visiting family and friends for three months before returning to Connecticut to pack up and move to their new home in Sebeka, Minn. There they hand built a log home on a 1,000-acre ranch, raising cattle before deciding Minnesota was too cold! 

They then traveled across the western United States looking for a warmer climate and their next home. 

The family settled on 40 acres in Ronan, Mont., where Jackie lived out the rest of her life. She was an active member of the Catholic Church in both Ronan and Charlo, dedicating her spare time as an integral part of the music ministry. She took up playing the auto harp in the 1980s so she could accompany the singers during mass, weddings and funerals. 

Jackie worked for Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius until its closure and then St Luke’s Hospital in Ronan until her retirement at age 62. She and Don then traveled, going twice to Ireland and through Canada visiting family and friends.  

Jackie was the heart of her family, bringing laughter and stability, as her children ventured out to find their own way in the world. She was the heart that brought them home. 

Jackie fought with dementia for the last three years of her life. Even while fighting dementia, Jackie’s smile and laughter never failed. She always found humor in her lost memories, giggling at her forgetfulness. Her husband, Don, and her devoted dog, Brownie, were always by her side. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, David Alexander Sr., countless family members and her best friend, Janet Drake. 

She is survived by her husband, Don of Ronan; her children, Michael (Kai) Byrnes of Hanibal, Mo., Jeanne (Scott Heinz) Frolander of Polson, Brian (Donna) Byrnes of Cheyenne, Wyo., and her Bonus daughter, Annette (Steve) Hill of Anaconda; her grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda) Frolander of Summerville, Ga., Kaitlin Byrnes of Las Vegas, Nev., and three great-grandsons, Henry, Jameson and Collin Frolander. 

A Celebration of Jackie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on April 13, 2024, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 35933 Round Butte Road, Ronan, with a reception to follow in the Catholic Church Parish Hall. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.