<p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Ula M Byrne (nee Wentzell)</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">August 25, 1928 – May 29, 2017</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Confident and assured in having fulfilled her life’s purpose, our mother, our sister and our friend left us in the early morning hours of May 29 </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">with family holding her tightly and lovingly as she passed. Her perpetual dignity and grace now exceeded the boundaries of an increasingly weary body. She was at peace knowing that she was dearly loved by her family and friends and had returned that love unconditionally over and over again. Ula is now content. She is reunited with her husband, Gerald, after a long wait.  In the 20 years since our dad passed, our mother continued to show us that singular strength and determination we were so accustomed to as she concentrated and cared for those who were around her. Right up to her death, her primary motivation for living remained what it had been since she and Gerald were married back in 1959: to proudly watch over her family's life and achievements.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>She tried to never show the quiet loneliness and sadness she experienced from losing her life’s true balancing force, our dear father. As the years passed, we could see she was increasingly ready to walk the bridge between heaven and earth that lay between them. We are sad, but we too are content. She will be with us forever, and we will now wait our turn until we are all together again. Until then, Ula will be cherished by a large circle of family who will remember her each and every day. Her sons, Stephen and his partner Jayne McColl, Derek with his wife Patricia Miller, and Gerry with his wife Denise Gibbons were dearly loved by her. A most special affection was reserved, however, for her three grandchildren. Stephen’s daughters Alyssa and Stephanie as well as Gerry and Denise’s son Gerry were so precious to her. The play time they shared, the picnics and the fun they had will now be but a memory but ones that will last forever.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Ula was incredibly talented and capable in her kitchen, and was admired by her nieces and nephews at holiday time as an incredible dessert maker.</span><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">  </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">She even ran an impressive commercial catering operation, serving Sunday buffet dinners for Gerald's fall outfitting business.</span><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">  </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Ula oversaw almost every logistical need of the business earlier in the week, all with three active little boys at her feet. Ula's loyalty to her family and friends was unwavering and uncomplicated, and the simplest everyday expression of her love.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">The remarkable bond of being sisters from Parson’s Pond lives on in Hughena Luther and remembered with Hughena’s recently departed husband Bill, along with Sylvia Thistle with husband Don, and Mona Hollands with husband Jack who were always so kind to her. This circle was joined with family formed in love with sister-in-law Theresa and the late Walter Wall, Sheila with the late brother-in-law Frank Byrne, and brother-in-law Willis Martin.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Ula is predeceased by her parents, Angus and Selina Wentzell of Parson’s Pond, father and mother-in-law Joseph and Louise Byrne of Main Street, Humbermouth, sister Linda Martin along with Gerald’s own large family; Jack, Bernard, George, Frank, Ed, Arthur, Joseph, Bill, Mona, Marie, Jim, Kevin, and Florence and their lifelong partners. We know Ula will be especially glad to have her friend Florence back around her again. Florence has already made tea and sandwiches and is anxious to talk about the garden with her as well. Such is the wonder and beauty of the bond that family creates.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">The family would like to extend our thanks to all who have been supporting Mom over the years. Ula and Gerald’s many nieces and nephews have always been there to visit, shop, and reminisce.</span><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">  </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Likewise, Ula’s Reid St. neighbours and her craft group always stayed in close contact with her; each of these visits made each day extra special for Ula. We would like to especially thank Dr. Dave Coleman. Dr. Coleman provided our mother with the most patient, caring, and professional medical care over many, many years. Our family and our community is blessed by his service and that of his office. We cannot thank you enough, Dr. Coleman. We would also like to thank Ula’s caregivers over the years that have helped Ula be more comfortable, independent and active. Thank you to Barb and the team at Mountainview in Corner Brook. You were heaven-sent to help when it was needed most. You helped make our mother safer and happier.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">In celebrating Ula’s life, funeral services will be held on Friday, June 2, at 11 am at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Main Street. Family will receive friends at Fillatre’s Funeral Home on St. Mark’s Avenue on Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm and Thursday from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Donations graciously accepted to the Western Regional Hospital Foundation or to The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. Remember our mother, sister and friend with love.</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">In remembering her fondly, Ula rarely hesitated to express her opinion, usually explaining that it was "just as well to tell you the truth"</span></span></p> <p><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>