Helen D. Byrnes' Obituary
Helen D. Byrnes, 94, died Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at NHC-Cool Springs in Franklin, TN, two weeks shy of
her 95th birthday. She was born in Schenectady, NY to the late Dr. Ignatius and Helen Gabriel
Bednarkiewicz. Helen was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady. Upon graduation,
Helen went to work for the General Electric Co. at their corporate headquarters in Schenectady as a
secretary in the Engineering Department.
In 1948, she married Jack Byrnes. His job moved them first to Cleveland, Ohio and finally to Memphis in
1959. In Memphis, Helen worked in the Labor Relations Department in the Regional Headquarters of
the US Postal Service, retiring in 1992.
In 2017, she moved to Franklin, Tennessee to be closer to her daughter, Kathy Blalack, first to Somerby
Franklin and in 2021 to NHC-Cool Springs.
Helen was a devout Catholic, a faithful communicant of St. Louis Church in Memphis for almost sixty
years. She was a competitive bridge player and always enjoyed a tall vodka tonic during the evening
happy hour. She took pleasure in treating her family to summer beach trips in Seagrove Beach, FL.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Jack, brothers Henry Bednarkiewicz and Richard Bennett, sister
Leona Dietz, sister-in-law Virginia Bennett, nephew James Bennett and niece Patty Memelo.
Helen is survived by her son Doug Byrnes (Donna), daughter Kathy Blalack (Gary), nieces Pamela Finton
(Stewart) and Leslie Laplante (Jim) and a nephew Richard Bennett, Jr. In addition, Helen is survived by
granddaughters Jennifer Conroy (Dave) and Katie Byrnes, grandsons Jeff Blalack and Justin Blalack and
three great grandchildren Owen, Brady and Ben.
The family would like to thank the staff at NHC-Cool Springs and the hospice team at Caris Healthcare
for their kind and gentle care. A special thanks to Linus the therapy dog and his owner Chuck for
brightening Helen’s days.
Helen had a private burial at Memorial Park in Memphis. There will be a memorial Mass at St Louis
Catholic Church in Memphis on Monday, September 4, 2023 at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, 935
Farm Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134.
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?
