Brenda A. O'Byrne

Brenda A. O'Byrne

January 6, 1939 - April 19, 2026

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Brenda, who took her final bow – unafraid and with an open heart surrounded by her beloved family on April 19, 2026.

Brenda was a woman of extreme beauty and strength who had an infectious smile and an immense love of music. She was born to Louis and Helen Russo of New Dorp. In 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Eugene (Gene) O’Byrne. As her family grew, they moved to Princes Bay to raise their four children. She was involved in the PTA and Cub Scouts, as well as many other community organizations.

When her youngest child started school, Brenda returned to college and earned a BS in Nursing. She eventually found her true calling in hospice when she became one of the first hospice nurses at Staten Island University Hospital.

She loved to travel with her family and her husband. When her children were young, they embarked on a six week cross country trek visiting all of the wonder and national parks in the U.S. She and her husband traveled extensively and visited locations such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Bora Bora, Alaska, and Hawaii. She loved her monthly excursions to Atlantic City with her sister, Mary. She also enjoyed joining her grandchildren on vacations. She was a kind and loving woman whose door was always open as evidenced by her notorious holiday buffets and summer barbecues.

She is survived by her children Linda Barbaria, Daniel (Sandra) O'Byrne, and John (Marie) O'Byrne and her grandchildren John, Daniel, Nicole, James, Matthew, Kristen O'Byrne and Michael Marron, as well as her siblings Mary, Charles, Noelle and Roberta.

She is predeceased by her husband of sixty-two years Gene (Lt. of FDNY), her daughter Laurie, her son-in-law Mickey (Michael) Barbaria, and her cat, Juliet.

We are so very thankful for the caretakers that assisted the family in caring for Mom.

"You may be gone from our sight but never gone from our hearts."

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brenda's name to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation OR Addeo House (Make checks payable to "SIUH Foundation" and mail to University Hospice at 78 Meisner Ave. Staten Island, NY 10306)