Mary Dean Byard

Mary Bernadine “Dean” Byard passed peacefully in her home in Topeka, Kansas, April 1, 2021, at the age of 89. Mary Dean was born to Leo Earl Connor and Bernadine Marie (Manley) Connor on March 31, 1932, in Kansas City, Mo. She was raised in the Kansas City areas in Missouri and Kansas and was a lifelong Catholic. She attended St. Peter's Grade School and Bishop Ward High School. She married her soulmate, G. Barney Byard on June 20, 1953, moved to Topeka and they raised five children together. She devoted her life to her kids and her husband, attending many business trips in fun locations with him and making longtime friends throughout that time. Although a busy mom of five, Mary Dean managed to be involved in her daughters' Girl Scout troops and was a Junior Great Books Program leader in her kids' school. Barney and Mary Dean were founding members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka. She served as a Lector and a Eucharistic Minister in the church. After her kids were grown, she worked as a realtor, in a boutique, and eventually ended up employed by the Shawnee County Judicial District, first as the Jury Coordinator and later as the Administrative Assistant to the Administrative Judge. After she retired, she volunteered at Every Woman’s Resource Center, The Mulvane Art Center, and in the St. Francis Hospital gift shop. Mary Dean was an avid reader, loved to quilt, sew, knit, crochet and golf. She was a crossword puzzle master, completing the most complex puzzles in pen. She was very proud of her Irish heritage. She and her sisters would sing Irish and other old songs in perfect harmony. Mary Dean was preceded in death by her husband in 2016 and her sister, Joanne Connor. She is survived by her son Barney Byard (Linda Cunningham); and daughters, Dee Poe, Cheri Byard (Larry Edgington), Donna Gragson (John) and Barb Andres (Kent); 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one on the way. She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Cummings, Pat Pound, Jeanne Johnson (Larry), sister-in-law, Rosemary Byard, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will follow until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Masks and social distancing are required. Mary Dean’s Mass will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Connections and sent in care of the funeral home.

Mary Dean Byard

March 31, 1932 - April 1, 2021