Judith (Judy) Ann Manke Byrne

Judith Ann (Judy) Manke Byrne passed away on July 12th, 2026, peacefully at her home in Olympia, WA. She was 82 years old. Judy was born on August 23, 1943, in Shelton, WA to Elmer and Dorothy Manke. The youngest of eight children, she spent her entire childhood in Shelton, growing up in a large, close-knit family. Judy graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton in 1961. She attended Seattle University, the University of Washington, and Central Washington University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Judy married William Gerald "Jerry" Byrne on April 20, 1963, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Shelton and was married for 34 years, until his death on August 22, 1997. Together they raised three sons, Coley Ryan, born 1969, Kevin Michael, born in 1970, and Casey James, born in 1972, all graduating from Kennewick High School and all going on to college. Judy held several business administrative jobs during her working career in Seattle and in the Tri Cities, ending with serving ten years as Constituent Services Manager for former U.S. Congressman Doc Hastings of Pasco, WA, retiring in 2007. While holding down full-time work, she also ran a 42-unit mobile home park in Kennewick for 40 years, often serving as a wise counselor and compassionate ambassador to her tenants.

Her true passion in life, however, was raising her children and creating a loving and happy home for her family. She loved to cook and entertain and always enjoyed sharing special occasions with family and friends around the pool in Kennewick or on Hood Canal. Judy was also an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. After retiring she became a world traveler, visiting China, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, as well as cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Judy is survived by her children Coley Byrne (Jennifer) of Portland, Kevin Byrne (Denise) of Olympia, Casey Byrne of Long Beach, WA, grandchildren, Garrett Byrne, Grace Flores (Elijah) of Olympia, Russell and Vivienne Byrne of Portland, sister Bunny Orr of Shelton, brother James Manke (Bonnie) of Tacoma, sisters-in-law Joan Manke of Olympia, and Jan Manke of Seabeck, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Byrne, parents Elmer and Dorothy Manke, brothers Larry, Virgil, Raymond, Charles Manke, sister Arlene Bac, brothers-in-law Edwin Bac and Raymond Orr, nephews Mark Manke and Donnie J. O'Neill, and nieces, Cheri Huck and Tracie Manke Frame. A family burial service will be held at Shelton Memorial Park cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Mary Bridge Children's Foundation, PO Box 5296, Tacoma, WA, 98415 (253-290-9601), Seattle Children's Hospital, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145 (206-987-2153), or The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 (877-832-6997), or a charity of your choice.