Cheryl Lynn Byrne left us too soon when she passed away from heart failure In Arlington, Virginia on October 25, 2020. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor.
Cheryl was born to Doris and Gary Byrne in Artesia, New Mexico in 1962. Shortly thereafter the Byrnes returned to Texas where her sister Melanie was born; and then later moved to Durango, Colorado. Cheryl grew up in Durango where her family enjoyed the mountains and camping. Cheryl was an active member of Grandioso Choir at Durango High School and acted in school plays. Cheryl had a beautiful singing voice and sang solos or with family or friends at many weddings and funerals. She graduated from Durango High School in 1981 and later earned her Associates Degree at Fort Lewis College, also in Durango.
Cheryl moved to north Texas in her mid-20s to be near her family, who had moved to Bells. Over the next 20 years she lived in Bells, Savoy, and Sherman. Once in Texas, Cheryl began to work for Cigna Health Insurance as a claims processor and recently completed her 30th year. In early 2009, Cheryl took a special assignment as a subject matter expert to train employees in New Delhi, India and enjoyed living there for two months.
Cheryl met Lisa in 2005 and moved to Springfield, Virginia near Washington, DC where Lisa lives in 2009. Together they adopted two rescue dogs (Toaster and Sammy), and were married in 2018.
Cheryl loved to travel and experience new cultures. In addition to India, she and Lisa traveled to many European countries, Australia and New Zealand; in addition to many places in the United States and Canada. Cheryl was four states short from visiting all 50.
Cheryl was an avid reader – her favorites were the Little House series, Jane Austen, and Gone with the Wind. She was also an excellent writer and entertaining storyteller – she wrote for the Cigna newsletter, blogged from India, and wrote other stories on-line that left her readers in stitches. She enjoyed music, theater, and movies. Cheryl was a huge Linda Ronstadt fan and loved the Wizard of Oz and the Sound of Music, as well as science fiction and fantasy.
Cheryl was a huge Texas Rangers baseball fan, having inherited her fandom from her grandfather. She adopted the Washington Nationals when she moved to Virginia too and enjoyed going to the World Series last year. Cheryl was also loyal to the Dallas Cowboys.
Most of all Cheryl was loved by all who knew her. Funny and generous, she was your friend not long after meeting you. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and dear friends Donna Shubert, Doris Pedigo, and Lori Alley. Cheryl is survived by her wife Lisa Romney and their dogs Toaster and Sammy of Springfield, Virginia; her parents Doris and Gary Byrne of Savoy, Texas; her sister Melanie, brother-in-law David, and nephew Kevin (all also of Savoy); niece Mandy and husband Stephen of Paris, Texas and their children Jesse, Shepherd, and Gracie; mother-in-law Janice Romney of Riverdale, Utah; brother-in-law Jason Romney and his wife Nichole of Pleasant Grove, Utah and their combined children Cassidy, Allyson, Will, Addie, Nick and Emmitt; as well as her best friend Patty Daniel of Denison, Texas, dear friend Dawn Lester of Annandale, Virginia, and scores of friends across the U.S. and Canada.
Graveside Services will be held 11am Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Dixie Cemetery, Whitesboro, Texas. Shepherd David Gaddy will officiate. A visitation will be held 6-8pm Friday, October 30, 2020 at Mullican-Little Funeral Home, Bells, Texas. Due to Covid-19 masks will be required at the funeral home during the visitation. Reasonable social distancing is requested.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Cheryl’s favorite rescues, the Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue in Anna, Texas (//dogranchrescue.com/). You may use the Contact page to email and let them know the donation is in honor of Cheryl.
kkk“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
Cheryl was a sweet loving soul. I met her on transports, where she couldn’t carry the cat crate or walk a large dog, but she saved lives by driving that leg. Rest in peace and love.
Cheryl, you will be greatly missed. Happy I had the opportunity to get to know you.
My deepest condolences to Cheryl’s wife, Lisa, and her family. Cheryl was more than my best friend, she was my family too, my chosen family. I will always smile and laugh when remembering the times we spent together.
Cheryl, this world will not be as bright without you to shine. RIP friend.
My loving and dearest friend. Oh the memories I have of us at DSHS in Grandi. Then us moving into the small duplex and the terrifying antics of taking the garbage out thru the garage that was dark and spooky, to watching movies, going to the dive in, to meeting again after years of being apart. Coming to see you and Lisa and had the best time seeing WA D.C. and other sites.
I am so going to miss you. Your funnies on Facebook, pictures, comments. You are so loved and cherished. Time was way too short.
I know you are near me in angel form and look forward to the day we meet again.
Fly high my friend and know I love you tons ?
Cheryl was a lovely person. I’ll remember her sense of humor best. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Go Cowboys!
Beautiful memories.
I never met Cheryl but was good friends/roommate with Lisa long ago in Virginia. Knowing Lisa tells me that Cheryl was an amazing person and will be missed. I’m so sorry for y’alls loss.
I worked with Cheryl at Cigna and she was absolutely famous and so loved by all of us so much. Rest in peace Cheryl. My thoughts and prayers to the family and all of her friends.
My condolences to the Byrne and Romney families. I believe Cheryl is now helping dogs as they cross the rainbow bridge.
I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa has been one of my dearest friends for nearly three decades, and Cheryl brought her so much happiness. I didn’t get the chance to know Cheryl well personally having moved back to Utah before Lisa and Cheryl met, but her reviews of books and conversations with her online as part of the Slackers book club were always smart, funny, and thought-provoking. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My prayers and thoughts are with Cheryl’s family during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed.
Cheryl was an amazing friend. She was always willing top help me figure out a surprise or secret gift for our mutual friend Dawn. She was so kind and giving of her time and her love. I am fortunate to have known her. She will be sorely missed but not forgotten.
Cheryl you will be missed greatly. You have a soul of pure love for life and anyone you come in contact with. Definitely will miss all of your Facebook post. I am sure you are already talking to someone in heaven about baseball or politics. Rest In Peace my Cigna friend.
I met Cheryl working at Cigna 20+ years ago. She was a fast friend. I loved her witty charm and her sense of humor. We both moved from Sherman, but kept in touch. She was so loved and will be missed by many. Sing with the angels dear friend.
So sorry for your loss Lisa. I pray for peace, strength and love during this time of loss. I pray for memories of your beloved to fill your heart and bring a smile to your face. Cheryl sounds amazing and will light up the heavens with her spirit. Denise
With love
I am very sorry for your families loss. Cheryl was a very nice person. She will be greatly missed.
Deepest condolences for your loss. Continue prayers & love for grace and strength in the day’s ahead. The world will never be the same. Cheryl was passionate & lived life to the fullest. I’m blessed to have known here
I didn’t know Cheryl but we are sisters in rescue. May she rest in peace
Thoughts and prayers for Cheryl’s family during this time. We will Always remember Cheryl’s amazing voice and how much it meant to us when she sang at our wedding 28 years ago.
Lots of Love,
Brian, Tammie, Landry and Lakin Gaddy
I had the honor of working with Cheryl at Cigna. She was such a blessing to everyone she came in contact with. My deepest condolences for your loss.
Please accept my condolences, Lisa, and Cheryl’s beloved family. Cheryl is such a gift to so many us. She is a joyful soul and I will always think so fondly of her. May you be blessed with happy memories to comfort you.
My deepest condolences to Lisa and Cheryl’s family. I graduated with Cheryl and loved her talented theater acting. I was in Fiddler on the Roof and it was fun. Reconnecting on Facebook and seeing how much she cared for her fur babies. Loved to see Lisa and Cheryls travels. We shared recipes and lots of squirrels jokes. Your smile and laughter will be missed and that singing voice. God needed a angels voice and He got the best. Thank you for being my friend. You will be missed. ??
You fly with the Angels now. I can only imagine all the furbabies who greeted you. You are with God now. Rest in Peace ♥️
Lisa. So very sorry for your loss. Know that many thoughts and prayers are with you and Cheryl.
PD