From Hope to Devastation

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4

Hello my name is Heather Teixeira and we have known the Byrne family since our girls started kindergarten at St.Paul Catholic Elementary School in 2016. I always felt like we shared a bit of a”bond” as we both had the biggest families in the school. After all no one else could appreciate just how expensive pizza days were for four children! Our sons then became classmates and friends as well. Currently three of the children attend St.Paul and one has just started her journey at Assumption.

Over the years our girls went to girl guides together, had play dates,birthday parties and sleepovers. Friendships were made. The Byrne family was one I could look up to. Always together as a family unit. Showing love and support for each other and anyone else lucky enough to be in their circle of friends. Every single day when I would arrive at school for pickup I was guaranteed a friendly hello and a wave from both Mr and Mrs.Byrne. And often a joke from Mr.Byrne or another funny story to make us smile. The Byrne family has contributed in so many ways to the St.Paul school community….from going on field trips, volunteering around the school, being a lunch monitor and being on the parent council. They were also very involved in the St.Raphaels church community.

At the end of June this year my kids came home and told me some very frightening news. That Mr.Byrne had been diagnosed with cancer. I contacted Katherine right away, hoping it was not true. Unfortunately she confirmed that yes, he did indeed have cancer that was diagnosed as incurable. If they did nothing he would have, at best, two months to live. As you can imagine this was devastating for his family.

Despite starting treatment immediately Mr.Byrne fell into the small percentage of people who have complications and he passed away suddenly just a few weeks later.

At St.Paul we are known for our ability to come together and support one another We need to raise Mrs.Byrne and her children up in love and prayers during a time of such heartache and loss. Mrs.Byrne has a very long road ahead of her. How do you move forward when the love of your life, the father of your children is taken so suddenly? Mr.Byrne was an amazing father. He was so involved in his kids lives, never missing a performance or school event. Even in 8th grade their daughter would still run to give Dad a hug during pickup at the end of the day. I would often see him running around the blacktop at the end of the day with the entire kindergarten class chasing behind him with everyone squealing in laughter. This loss will have a long and profound impact on the children. Mr.Byrne loved his family and it certainly showed.

While nothing can bring him back, let’s come together as a community and show Katherine just how much we care and love her family and children. Any act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a difference as this has occurred so suddenly with absolutely no time to prepare.

Katherine, Sinead, Niamh, Shane and Luc we are all lifting you up in prayer. May god bless you and give you the strength to move forward during the most difficult time in your life.

*100% of all donations will go directly to Katherine and her children*

I thought of you with love today,

But that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday

And days before that too.

I think of you in silence.

I often speak your name.

All I have are memories

And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake

With which I’ll never part.

God has you in his keeping,

I have you in my heart.