Ann Shrope Byrne, age 80, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2022. Ann was the beloved wife of the late Philip Byrne for 44 years and cherished mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, grandma and friend. She is survived by her sons, Curtiss and Tyson, daughter-in-laws Lisa and Erica, and grandchildren Isabel (21), Connor (19) and Sophia (16).

Born Dec. 15, 1941, in Staten Island, N.Y., Ann was the daughter of William and Dorothea Shrope, and dear sister of Dorothea Shrope Myers. 

Ann spent most of her life in Norfolk. She attended high school at the Howard School for Girls in Massachusetts and graduated from Skidmore College with a B.A. in psychology. While working full-time and raising two children, she earned a master’s degree in special education from Central Connecticut College. 

Ann and Phil owned and operated Ann’s Nursery for Babies in Norfolk and The Shrope Foundation, two residential nursing facilities providing loving care for medically involved and developmentally disabled children and young adults. 

Ann had a passion and aptitude for playing tennis and was a member of the Norfolk Country Club, where she served on the board. She also enjoyed curling with Phil at the Norfolk Curling Club and loved spending hours laughing and playing sports and games with family and friends. 

Ann and Phil retired to Sykesville, Md., in 2006 to be closer to family. Ann did not slow down in retirement. Full of energy and always eager to help out, she enjoyed tutoring children and dedicated her time to multiple committees and programs at the Fairhaven retirement community, including the performing arts committee, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the gift shop and the treasure shop. In 2010, she was honored as Fairhaven’s “Woman of the Year” for her service and dedication. Ann also volunteered at the Carroll Community Hospital, Beasman Boutique, St. Paul’s Methodist Church and the Westminster Senior Center Department of Aging. 

Ann’s greatest joy was her three grandchildren and spending time with her family. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, mah-jongg, Wii bowling, going to the theater and creating art, and she adored her dogs Deedee and Nina. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Norfolk Church of Christ Congregational on Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Voices for Children or Kids of Love.