Mary Ann (Vaccaro) Byam's Obituary
Mary Ann (Vaccaro) Byam, 63, of Syracuse, passed away early Saturday morning, January 24, 2015. She was the definition of a fighter. Born on the Fourth of July, in Oneida, NY she was every bit the firecracker and sparkle in the lives of everyone she knew. Mary Ann moved to Syracuse with her father, a journalist for the Herald Journal and her mother, as a small child and has called it home ever since. A graduate of Henninger High School and Le Moyne College, she worked 40 years as a teacher in the parochial and public schools of Syracuse. Mary Ann touched the lives of thousands of students and made a profound impact advocating for literacy. She treated each student as she would her own children, always a confidant and mentor. Mary Ann was a beautiful person inside and out and her attention to detail, creativity and spunky personality will be missed. She was cheated of many good years but lived life to the fullest each day. She loved to travel and enjoyed countless vacations with her family. Mary Ann lived for her family and was a very dedicated mother, sister, Cioci, and daughter. She will be missed by so many for her wonderful talents, her sparkle, and her wholehearted generosity and care of others.
She is predeceased by her beloved mother, Amelia (Civiok) Vaccaro and father, Samuel Vaccaro as well as her mother and father-in-law, Walter and Adah (Gobel) Byam.
Mary Ann leaves in her legacy, her husband of 40 years, Craig “Wally” Byam; her daughters whom she was so proud of, Casey and Lindsey Byam; her sisters, Anna (Larry) Hart of Tarzana, CA., Amy (John) Joyner of Syracuse and Jeanette Vaccaro (Alan) Snyder of Syracuse; sister-in-law, Linda (Ron) Zeitz of Marlton, NJ; nephew, Jeffery Joyner, as well as several other nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews whom she cherished very much. Numerous friends and colleagues she treated as family and several cousins also remain behind.
The Byam family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Crouse Hospital ICU team of doctors and nurses for all their wonderful care and support.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 am on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Funeral Mass in celebration of Mary Ann’s life at 10:30 am in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
Though she loved flowers and some are welcome, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association and donations can also be made in the form of books to local libraries and schools in her honor. Our teacher of all things always bought/shared books and her love of reading with everyone.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary Ann?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary Ann?
Share a story where Mary Ann's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary Ann you’ll never forget.
How did Mary Ann make you smile?