Elizabeth L. (Dempsey) BYRNES

BYRNES, DEMPSEY, DAVENPORT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/20/2016 at 15:44:02

Elizabeth L. "BB" Byrnes

January 19, 1934 --- August 18, 2016

San Diego -- Elizabeth L. Byrnes passed away on the morning of August 18, 2016. She was 82. Betty or BB as she was known to family, loved ones, friends and acquaintances was raised in Belmond, Iowa and attended the nursing program at Drake University. She moved to Los Angeles in 1956 to work as a nurse at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. It was there that she met her future husband, Donald G. Byrnes, and they were married in Leiden, Netherlands on October 22, 1957. BB and Don eventually settled in San Diego where BB was an active mother, managed her husband's medical practice and became involved in the San Diego community and with many charitable causes including the San Diego Medical Auxiliary, Sharp Hospital, the Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns (for which she and her husband lead the fundraising campaign), Beth Israel Temple, where she served on the Board and as President from 1990 to 1992, and numerous other causes. She was honored for her work in the community by the ADL with the Women of Valor Award, Magen David Adom with the Marla Bennett Award, and the Presidential Award from the Jewish Federation.In addition to her charitable endeavors, BB devoted time and energy to local political causes and fundraisers and served as Commissioner on the San Diego Human Relations Commission. Professionally, she served as President of the National Council of Business and Professional Women and was an ardent supporter of Planned Parenthood and issues related to women's reproductive rights and equality. She also spearheaded and served as Chairwoman for "On The Go," a ride service created to assist seniors get around.

She loved her family, participated completely in their lives and will be deeply missed. BB is survived by her 4 children, Steven, David, Sara and Laura, 4 sons and daughters-in-law, Jamie, Sigal, Moshe and Michael, 9 grandchildren, Samantha, Raphael, Yonaton, Jacob, Elizabeth, Jordan, Daniel, Shelli and Talia, her sister Donna and brother Bob and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 22nd at 12 noon at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA.

San Diego Union Tribune --- San Diego, CA
August 20, 2016

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[Betty Dempsey was the daughter of William and Viola (Davenport) Dempsey]