Rita Catherine Sanders Byard, age 87, of Emmitsburg, MD died Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. Born July 23, 1924 in Gettysburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Martha Ryder Sanders. She was the wife of Donald B. Byard, Sr., her husband of 69 years.
Rita was a communicant of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, MD where she served as secretary for more than 20 years and was a member of the Sodality. She was also a member of VFW Post 6658 auxilary. She enjoyed knitting, reading, and spending time with her family. She was devoted to the Rosary.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter, Martha Hemler and husband, Ronald, of Thurmont; sons, Terence Byard & wife, Thelma of Hagerstown, Donald Byard, Jr. & wife, Patricia of Columbia, PA, Michael Byard of Annapolis, and Chris Byard & wife, Dana, of Frederick; brother, Joseph Sanders & wife, Effie of Gettysburg, PA; sister-in-law, Barbara Sanders of Gettysburg; grandchildren, Terence Byard, Jr. & wife, Kendra, Jeffrey Byard & wife, Amy, and Matthew Byard & wife, Katie, all of Hagerstown, Brian Hemler & wife Jen, of Thurmont, Sarah Shorb & husband, DJ of Emmitsburg, Jennifer Garton & husband, Jay of Berlin, Leslie Foltyn & husband, Ted of Forest Hill, Ainsley Zima & husband, Janson of Lititz, PA, Kimberly Borchard & husband, Jon of Minneola, KS, Aimee DeForge & husband, Jim of Palm Desert, CA, Heidi Benike & husband, Thomas of Green Bay, WI, Thomas Byard & wife, Amanda of Topeka, KS, Elizabeth Byard and David Byard, both of Frederick; 30 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Jean Myers, Doris Spalding, & Marie Sheaffer and brother, Richard Sanders.
The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 West Main St., Emmitsburg, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. Thursday, April 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg, MD with the Rev. Charles F. Krieg, C.M. serving as celebrant. Interment will follow at New St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg, MD, 21727.
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Rita was a communicant of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, MD where she served as secretary for more than 20 years and was a member of the Sodality. She was also a member of VFW Post 6658 auxilary. She enjoyed knitting, reading, and spending time with her family. She was devoted to the Rosary.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter, Martha Hemler and husband, Ronald, of Thurmont; sons, Terence Byard & wife, Thelma of Hagerstown, Donald Byard, Jr. & wife, Patricia of Columbia, PA, Michael Byard of Annapolis, and Chris Byard & wife, Dana, of Frederick; brother, Joseph Sanders & wife, Effie of Gettysburg, PA; sister-in-law, Barbara Sanders of Gettysburg; grandchildren, Terence Byard, Jr. & wife, Kendra, Jeffrey Byard & wife, Amy, and Matthew Byard & wife, Katie, all of Hagerstown, Brian Hemler & wife Jen, of Thurmont, Sarah Shorb & husband, DJ of Emmitsburg, Jennifer Garton & husband, Jay of Berlin, Leslie Foltyn & husband, Ted of Forest Hill, Ainsley Zima & husband, Janson of Lititz, PA, Kimberly Borchard & husband, Jon of Minneola, KS, Aimee DeForge & husband, Jim of Palm Desert, CA, Heidi Benike & husband, Thomas of Green Bay, WI, Thomas Byard & wife, Amanda of Topeka, KS, Elizabeth Byard and David Byard, both of Frederick; 30 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Jean Myers, Doris Spalding, & Marie Sheaffer and brother, Richard Sanders.
The family will receive friends 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 West Main St., Emmitsburg, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. Thursday, April 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg, MD with the Rev. Charles F. Krieg, C.M. serving as celebrant. Interment will follow at New St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg, MD, 21727.