“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long - (Refrain from Blessed Assurance) Maureen Anne Byrne, resident of New Canaan, CT for 28 years, died Sunday April 15, 2012 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. A life well-lived and devoted to others, her impact on those around her and those who knew her cannot be forgotten. Born in Woodhaven Queens, New York on October 9, 1950, she was the daughter of James and Therese Byrne. The oldest of nine children, Maureen began caring for others at a young age. A constant presence in each sibling’s life, countless stories abound of her guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the years. Her brother remembers fondly that, “Maureen was always trying to get the family together and when they were together she was always getting everyone in the same room to take a group picture.” Said by a friend to have a likeness with Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home, bringing people together would become a persistent theme and central motivation in her life. Maureen earned her high school diploma from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset, New York and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dallas, Texas in 1972 in Foreign Languages. There she was honored with the academic Humanitarian Award upon graduation. As a young woman, she was an intrepid traveler, visiting many places at home and abroad. An independent and open-minded spirit, Maureen embraced life trying out new jobs and experiences from teaching and art to community leadership and philanthropic work. As a mother, her love was equal and unconditional for each child. As a person, her concern for others and the problems of the world grew stronger as she grew older. Her list of accomplishments is long and her dedication to her causes unknown to many, given her humble nature. In the community, she was a member of the Young Women’s League of New Canaan, President of the Parent Teacher Council for South School, co-chair of wreath-making for the New Canaan Nature Center Christmas Market fundraiser, and volunteered for Person to Person in Darien, CT. She started a Kids Care Club at South School and in the mid-90’s won the New Canaan Volunteer of the Year Award. As a woman of faith she attended Community Bible Study and served on their Leader’s Council. She formed a Moms in Touch group to pray for the children of the mothers in the group and she served on the New Canaan Young Life board. In her professional life, she was a manager at Kids Care, a non-profit organization that empowers children to care for the underserved through hands-on service projects, and she eventually became Director of Youth and Family Engagement at generationOn. Her commitment to Kids Care brought her in contact with the Foster Care Department at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and she worked tirelessly to help where she could. Janet Singer with DCF said, “She never asked for anything in return, but to see the smile on children's faces.” Maureen was a member of Talmadge Hill Community Church in Darien where she became a catalyst for growing the congregation and played a major role in their missions outreach for 12 years until she resigned in 2011 due to her illness. With her great compassion she guided hundreds of thousands of dollars to large and small causes locally and globally, adding her personal touch to the process. At a dinner in 2010, she was honored with the title of Mrs. March (Little Women) by members of the church. Maureen brought every aspect of her life together in her service to others—family, community, and church. Kathy Saulitis of generationOn, and longtime friend, wrote that, “She was truly an angel to so many and her incredible spirit will continue to live on in all the lives she touched.” She is survived by her three children Patrick, Christian, and Julia Hofer, her six brothers, Thomas, Michael, James, Patrick, Sean and Terence Byrne, and her two sisters, Therese and Jennifer Byrne. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the Talmadge Hill Community Church, 870 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd., Darien, CT with the Reverend Mich Zeman presiding. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Talmadge Hill Church Maureen Byrne Missions Endowment Fund. Maureen will be the first member of the church to be memorialized in the new memorial garden at Talmadge Hill. Saturday April 21, 2012 , 2:00PM at Talmadge Hill Community Church Click for Map and Directions