Genevieve Byerly Obituary


GENEVIEVE MARIE WHITE BYERLY
September 8, 1914 ~ August 28, 2013

Genevieve Marie White Byerly was born Sept. 8, 1914, in Elbe, WA, and passed away Aug. 28, 2013, in Vancouver, WA. As a baby, she moved with her parents, Charles and Grace (Boling) White, and her older brother, Franklin, to Ridgefield, WA, where she lived most of her life. While attending and after graduating Ridgefield High School in 1932, Genevieve worked as one of the switchboard operators in town.
On July 14, 1937, she married Lester Byerly in what was then the Ridgefield Methodist Church.
She worked as a receptionist in Ft. Smith, AK, while her husband was stationed there in 1944. During his time in the European theater during WWII, Genevieve helped to run her family's restaurant in Amboy, WA. Upon her husband's return in 1946, they moved to the Seattle area where their only child, Pam, was born.
In 1949, the Byerly's returned to Ridgefield and ran Byerly's grocery and dry goods store until selling it in 1968. Her smile greeted every customer.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. Genevieve's hobbies included dancing, boating, golfing and gardening. She often spoke of the Ridgefield Dance Hall, Lotus Isle Peacock Ballroom and Portland's Crystal Ballroom she enjoyed in her "earlier days." During her illness this past winter, when physical therapists asked what she liked to do just for fun, she always answered dancing!
Gardening was the one hobby that continued through Genevieve's 97th year. The yard and garden she and Lester maintained between the Ridgefield schools on 5th Street from the late 40's until 1995 was a real showplace. Teachers from the grade school next door would take their classes to the Byerly's in order to show the students what a real palm tree looked like. In recent years neighbors kiddingly complained that Genevieve was coming into their yards to rake leaves. Genevieve's response was those leaves probably came from her trees and she was responsible for them! Younger generations were always amazed at her vitality and energy.
While Genevieve traveled through all 50 states and many foreign countries from Thailand to Russia with her husband after retirement, her real joy was in her family and friends and what she could do for others. She cared for her own parents for many years, as well as for her brother. She loved being a mother and grandma. Together she and her husband, helped raise her nephew, Gary White, who eventually became the caregiver of his beloved wife. She also was an influence in her other nieces' and nephews' lives. Ultimately though, her husband, Lester, was the one who most benefited from her caring, giving, generous spirit. Genevieve rarely left his side. That is the picture most friends and family will remember. Lester and Genevieve together again.
Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Pam and son-in-law, Don Evans; grandson, Matthew Byerly Michener; great-grandson, Logan Michener, and great-granddaughter, Byerly A. Michener.
Her husband, Lester, predeceased her in 2006.
Services will be held at the Ridgefield Community United Methodist Church, 1410 S Hillhurst, Ridgefield, WA, Sept. 10 at 11:00 a.m. with luncheon following. Private interment at the Ridgefield Pioneer Cemetery.
Please sign her guestbook at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Sep. 6, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Genevieve Byerly

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From Jeanette Matthews (formerly Kitchen) and her daughter... our deepest condolences on the loss of Genevieve. I always remember how much fun it was to go shopping in Byerly's grocery store when I was a little girl! My Mom always called Genevieve her "twin sister" since they were born on the same day of the same year! And they exchanged birthday cards every year for many, many years. Such a wonderful lady will be missed by many.

Jeanette Marie Matthews

September 25, 2013

Genevieve was a very special customer of mine when I worked for lst Independent Bank. She will be missed by many. My thoughts are with her family.

September 11, 2013

A dear long time friend to all of us Pfeifer's. Our children just loved receiving the post cards they sent them when they were traveling. A lady who's beautiful smile & humor we will always remember. Prayers to you Pam & family. Much love, Barbara, Merle, & all 5 kids

September 10, 2013

Pam, I have fond memories of going over to your house to play and visit. Your Mom was always so friendly and interested in what we were doing, asking questions and making conversation with two little girls. On one visit your Mom was in the driveway wasking her car. She took the time to explain that she washed the front fender last night and tonight she was washing the back fender and that the car would be all clean in another two nights. It's funny the things that stick with you. She probably had no idea that I think about her everytime I washed my car. She will not be forgotten. She will be in my memories always.

Pam Llewellyn

September 9, 2013

Genevieve, I will miss you greatly this Halloween! Thank you for the wonderful memories you and Lester gave this time of year.

Molly Wilson

September 9, 2013

Such a kind and beautiful soul. Feel very blessed to have had her as my great aunt. Lester was thrilled to see her again I'm sure:) Jill Lester Echo-Hawk

September 9, 2013

Pam, your Mom was such a beautiful lady. Lloyd and I always enjoyed seeing her and talking to her. She was so gracious and so sweet to us. She will be greatly missed but, remembered forever. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Gayle Gonzales

September 8, 2013

What a great lady Genevieve was and how much she meant to us all. We will miss her deeply and our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Ross and LeeOni McKee

September 8, 2013

Genevieve was a very classy lady. Thank you for sharing your photos of your early years growing up in the logging camps. We could listen for hours about the early years in Ridgefield. You were a great friend to many and stranger to none. Say HI to Lester as we miss him too.

Don & Nancy (Boutwell)Frick

September 7, 2013

I had the pleasure of caring for Genevieve in our care home since March and its so sad to see her go. She was the sweetest lady and everyone in the care home enjoyed her company.She will be greatly missed by us all. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family.

Elena Baias

September 7, 2013

I only met Genevieve a few times, but I know she was a special lady who will be missed very much by her family.

Susan Franck

September 7, 2013

I still have questions to ask. My dearest friend is gone and we will never forget Genevieve, she and Lester played an important part of our families maturing, an influence to the kids that made them all want to do good, so as to not disappoint them or their grandparents. They were always loved as much as any of us could do.
Our sympathy to Pam, Don, Matt and the children, the LIGHT of many lives has gone out but not the memories. Our love, Ron and Marlene McKee

Ron & Marlene McKee

September 6, 2013

Genevieve has always been a very special person to me and my family. I will forever treasure the memories of all the wonderful times we shared.
She will forever have a special in our hearts.
Much love,
Chelley Mckee and Family

September 6, 2013

What a wonderful lady. She would often talk to us "grade schoolers" as we passed by her house on our way to band class at the middle school. She will be greatly missed.

Eric Oldham

September 6, 2013

So hard to believe that we no longer have this wonderful lady with us. So many wonderful stories about both her and Lester. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to Pam and the rest of the family.

Barbara Faeh

September 6, 2013

So sorry to learn of her passing. She was a very special person.

Ken & Sandy McKee

September 6, 2013

What a great lady. My thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Effinger

September 6, 2013

Our condolences to the Byerly Family. Genevieve will be missed dearly. She holds such a special place in the hearts of our family. She was a beautiful woman inside and out.

Rory & Susie McKee

September 6, 2013

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