Evelyn Byron, 94, of Wareham, died Sunday May 4, 2003 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She was the widow of James Byron.
Born in New Bedford to a family of Greek Orthodox priests, she was the daughter of the late Christos and Panagiota Sempos. She spent her early years in Greece with her mother, her sisters Maria and Joanne, and her brother George at the home of her grandparents, the Reverend and Mrs. Theodore Papatheodorou.
Because the outbreak of World War I delayed their return to the United States, she and her siblings began their education in the Greek public school system. After the war they joined their father in Fall River and soon welcomed the birth of their sister Christine.
In 1925 she married James Byron of Buzzards Bay and would for many years be associated with him in business. For almost thirty years she managed Byron’s Sea Grill, a renowned waterfront restaurant on Buttermilk Bay noted not only for its food but for its celebrity clientele including royalty.
An active member of the community, she served as an officer in the Wareham Monday Club, the Garden Club and the Tobey Hospital Guild. As a member of the Garden Club, she was a multi-blue ribbon winner for her exquisite floral arrangements. She was also a strong supporter of education, traveling extensively throughout the state in behalf of Reading is Fundamental. One of her favorite stops was the Lincoln School in Fall River, where she had been a pupil.
Devotedly religious, in 1998 she was chosen by her church to receive that year’s Laity Award. When she was chosen, her pastor the Very Reverend Constantine S. Bebis described her as an unshakeable tower of strength and faith. A large delegation of her fellow parishioners were present in Boston to witness Metropolitan Methodios, presiding hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston, present her with the award.
Passionately patriotic to the very end, she was a strong supporter of the troops. All three of her sons served in the armed forces as well as her husband, a three times wounded World War I veteran.
Survivors include a sister Christine Geary of Fall River; daughters Flo Byron, business women and actor and Joanne Byron, state educator and fashion model; sons Charles Byron of Florida, Retired Superior Court Justice Chris Byron of Rochester and his wife Priscilla, and Alexander Byron well known explorer and painter, of Marion and his wife Suzanne. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grand children.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service on Friday May 9, 2003 at 11 AM in Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 87 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, followed by a burial at Centre Annex Cemetery in Wareham. Visiting hours will be on Thursday May 8, 2003 from 5-9 PM at Saunders Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Donations in her memory may be made to Saint George Orthodox Church, 87 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02746.