Donna Jean Howlett Byron
Donna Jean Howlett Byron was born on June 14th, 1924 in Mason MI. She graduated from Michigan State University and was an active sister of Alpha Chi Omega. Her sorority sisters were lifelong friends meeting regularly for reunions throughout the country until Jean was the last one surviving.
While at Michigan State, she met Basil Gordon Byron when he was a GI preparing to go to Europe during World War II. She always would say, she noticed right away he was a wonderful dancer.
They were married in 1947 and lived in Mason for most of their married life. Their daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1949 and their son, Peter, was born in 1955. While raising her children, Jean was a devoted volunteer in the Mason community serving on the Parks and Recreation board, Lansing area Girl Scouts board, a volunteer at St James Catholic Church, the United Way Fund, Public Television and volunteering weekly to help perform physical therapy for a disabled child.
Her weekly Bible Study group was a great source for advancing her spiritual journey and included her closest friends in addition to the many fun times she had with her monthly potluck dinners and weekly bridge club.
Jean was a passionate lover of art. After her children were raised, she would take many art classes during her winter stays in Florida becoming an accomplished artist with pastels and having her work chosen to be exhibited in several art shows. With the loss of her sight, she sadly gave up her painting but her family is fortunate to have many of her pieces to always remind them of her talent.
Throughout her life, Mullett Lake in northern Michigan was the summer place she enjoyed the most tending to her many flower boxes, afternoon swims in the lake and “docktails” while watching fabulous sunsets. For all the family, memories are strongest of their time “at the lake”.
Jean has 4 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 4 nieces and 3 nephews.
The Byron family thanks all the friends who have included Jean in their lives. Special thanks to Paulette Watson, who for the last several years cared for Jeanlike her own mother. The family is truly grateful.
A private family internment will take place at Maple Grove cemetery, Mason, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations are much appreciated to the glaucomafoundation.org
Condolence(1)-
Barb Turner says
October 28, 2023 at 8:28 pmAunt Jean was the aunt everyone wanted to claim as their own, she was elegant, worldly, the most interesting conversationalist, and interested in really knowing what was going on in your life. She will be missed but always remembered.