NORWICH – Anna Rose Welch Byrne, 83, of Sharon Drive, Norwich, passed away on Oct. 14, 2006, at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Anna Rose was born Oct. 3, 1923, the daughter of William Henry and Margaret (McNulty) Welch. She graduated from St. Paul’s School in 1938 and from Norwich High School in 1942, and went on to receive her R. N. degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse in 1945. After graduating from St. Joseph’s, Anna Rose worked for Dr. Robert Gelder on South Broad St. in Norwich. When Dr. Gelder moved his medical practice to Sidney, Anna Rose moved to Sidney where she was employed by Dr. Gelder for several years. She moved back to Norwich when Dr. Robert Griffin opened his medical practice on West Main Street, and worked as Dr. Griffin’s nurse. When Dr. Griffin closed his general practice to study ophthalmology, Anna Rose worked as an R. N. on the medical surgical unit of Chenango Memorial Hospital. She later re-joined Dr. Griffin when he opened his ophthalmology practice on East Main Street, where she worked until her retirement in 1988.
On July 7,1951, in St. Paul’s Church in Norwich, Anna Rose married George E. Byrne. She was a member of St. Paul’s Church, and a former member of The Catholic Nurses, St. Paul’s Mothers Club, The Altar and Rosary Society of St. Paul’s Church, and the Ladies of Charity. She was also a former member of the Board of the Chenango Valley Home on Canasawacta Street. She enjoyed travel, golf, and bowling, but most of all she enjoyed her family, neighbors, and close friends. Anna Rose was humble, kind, and compassionate, and will be dearly missed.
Anna Rose is survived by her husband of 55 years, George E. Byrne; by her daughter, Maureen, of Norwich, and her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Cheryl of Las Vegas, Nev. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. Anna Rose was predeceased by her parents; and by her brother and sisters: William D. Welch of Norwich, Katherine E. Crandall, Mary R. Maloney, and Margaret G. Fahy.
The Mass of Resurrection for Anna Rose will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in St. Paul’s Church in Norwich. Friends may call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
The family suggests contributions to St. Paul’s Church, 8 Silver St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Norwich Emergency Squad, 31 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.