Dorothy Byrne

Dorothy (Dottie) Ann Byrne passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home on November 27, 2016. She was born in Globe, Arizona on September 20, 1930 at the Schwarz family home on 2nd Street in Globe. Dot grew up and attended Globe Schools. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill on June 16, 1947 at age 16 in the house where she was born. Dot and Bill’s first summer together was spent in the Pinal Mountains where Bill worked for the Forest Service and Dot filled in on occasion in the look-out-tower. They lived in a little cabin at Ferndale. From there they transferred with the Forest Service to Crown King, Arizona in the Bradshaw mountains and lived again in a small cabin with no electricity, or running water in Horse-thief Basin. Dot often said it was some of the best times in their lives. They moved back to Globe where Bill was working a few local ranches and they finally settled at the Bar Eleven Ranch where they spent many years. In 1960 Dot and Bill bought property in Wheatfields and built a home. A couple of years later they started the Apache Trail Mobile Home Park. Dot used her business sense and practical nature to further the trailer-park and the family owned business (Schwarz Lumber), operating both successfully for many decades. She worked as secretary and book-keeper for both. As if they didn’t have enough to do, Dot and Bill started a family horse racing venture and once again, through Dot’s business savvy and Bill’s hard work, they bought a small summer home, spending the summer months in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. Dot loved the horse racing and the town of Prescott. She worked for Rillito Downs (Tucson) and Prescott Downs in the book-keeping office, but you could find her every race-day in their box seat watching the races. Dot and Bill supported horseracing during the county racing events across the state, and she was an active member of the Gila County Racing Commission. She loved to travel with friends and managed trips all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. She also visited Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and Panama. Most importantly, Dot loved her family. She always went above and beyond to be there for each of them. She taught each of us something wonderful. She was “Granny” to her 5 grandchildren, Deanna Woods, Justus Byrne, Leslie Petty, Erik Byrne, and Mason Byrne. And then, “Granny Dot” to her 6 great-grandchildren, Sarah and Katlyn Woods, Rylee Byrne, Kaleb, Kyle and Keilan Petty. Dot was proceeded in death by Rufus (Jack) Carithers (father), Helen Crockett (mother), Bill Byrne Sr. (husband) Jack Carithers (brothers) Joanne Miles (sister). She leaves behind her sons, Bill Byrne (Jeri), Ken Byrne, and Bart Byrne (Vicki), Sister-in law Lena Cline, a number of cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends. “Amazing” is too small a word for this wonderful woman, but she was just that, Amazing! She will be greatly missed. There will be celebration of life for her on December 10, 2016 – 10:00 A.M. at Living Waters Community Church located at 125 E. Haskins Terrace in Globe, Arizona where services and a reception will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: High Desert Humane Society, PO Box 383, Claypool, AZ 85532. Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe