Our beloved mom, grandma, and 50 year career registered nurse (RN) and family nurse practioner, Rita Rae Nichols Byfield, passed away on Thursday March 27th after a little over a year long battle with cancer.

Rita was born with one kidney, which decided it was done working when she was in her mid-60's. She underwent dialysis for years while she waited on the national transplant list. She received a kidney from her son, who ended up being her living donor. On November 30th 2023, Rita lost her beloved, immunocompromised husband of 54 years, Michael Byfield, and on the same day she lost Michael, she found out she had triple negative invasive breast cancer, a direct result of the anti-rejection drugs needed for her kidney transplant. Rita underwent a double mastectomy in February 2024 and in September 2024 she found out the breast cancer had metastasized to her lungs.

The family had searched for years for an insurance policy (prior to the cancer) that would cover her funeral expenses and finally found one with a grace period. Unfortunately, Rita passed away one day before her insurance policy was to take effect. The family is still paying on the funeral for Michael, who was also not eligible for any insurance policy due to his own extensive medical needs.

The family will use any money donated to directly support her funeral expenses.