Jane Leedom Byrne

Cannon Beach

April 21, 1924 — Oct. 6, 2014

Jane Leedom Byrne passed away October 6, 2014, at age 90, at home in Cannon Beach with her family. She loved animals and travel: her favorite places to visit were Disneyland and Hawaii, and she enjoyed spending summers and weekends at Cannon Beach throughout her life. Jane’s key to a happy life: always have a trip planned.

She was born Jane Foulke Leedom, in Portland, Ore., on April 21, 1924, to Alice Fredericka Ramsey and David Ambler Leedom, joining her brother Richard Ramsey Leedom. She lived in northeast Portland most of her life, graduating from Fernwood Elementary School and from Grant High School in the January class of 1942.

Jane and her husband Dick Byrne both graduated from Reed College, where they met: the first time he saw her, across the cafeteria, he told his friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They were happily married for 48 years until he passed away at age 70. 

She was a second-grade teacher, as well as a PTA room mother, Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls Leader, and she opened the Mother Goose Day Nursery. Jane was an advocate for homeless pets and wildlife, providing a home for many stray dogs and cats over the years.

Jane loved to throw parties, complete with decorations, party favors, music, singing, and games for birthdays and Halloween. She equipped her home for Hawaiian-themed parties with a Tiki Bar, indoor tropical fountain, and a built-in outdoor swimming pool with a slide.    

Dick and Jane moved to a farm in the Corvallis countryside after he retired from being a mathematics professor at Portland State University. Jane enjoyed the open space and observing wildlife, and lived independently at her farm until her 90th birthday.

Jane is survived by daughter Suzanne Victoria Byrne Rempfer and son-in-law William C. (Willie) Rempfer; daughter Diana Kathleen Byrne and son-in-law Alan James Woods; and grandchildren Del Byrne Harrow, Jim Harrow Byrne, and Heather Anne Rempfer. Jane was predeceased by her husband John Richard (Dick) Byrne in 1996.

Memorial donations may be sent to: Heartland Humane Society, 398 S.W. Twin Oaks Circle, Corvallis, OR 97333; Chintimini Wildlife Center, 311 N.W. Lewisburg Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330.

Lincoln Memorial Park is handling burial arrangements.

Jane’s daughters are planning a Hawaiian-themed memorial party and a trip to Disneyland.