Woodsville, NH – Carolyn Ann Byrne, 74, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at Cottage Hospital, Woodsville, following an extended illness.

She was born in Holton, ME, October 15, 1942, the daughter of Lester and Elizabeth (O'Malley) Defrates.  She was raised in Woodsville and graduated from Woodsville High School Class of 1960, and later attended the Boston Stenotype Institute and became a certified stenographer.  Initially she worked for the former Edes Law Office in Woodsville before going to work for the former Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover.  Carolyn was the purchasing agent for the operating rooms at Mary Hitchcock and later at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center when it moved to Lebanon.  Upon her retirement she had worked for the institution for over 40 years.  During that time for a period of 20 years Carolyn drove the commuter "HanoVan" from Woodsville to Hanover, picking up hospital workers along the way.  She was a member of the North Country Chorus and St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Woodsville, and Cottage Hospital Auxiliary.  With her husband Paul, they had been fortunate to have traveled the world visiting Egypt, Tibet, China, Australia, South America, Africa, and Europe to name just a few.  Carolyn loved taking care of her home and many perennials gardens.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul R. Byrne of Woodsville, to whom she married on September 21, 1963, along with nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Lester on October 25, 2000, her mother, Betty on October 3, 2003, and her brother, Peter L. Defrates on October 24, 1967.

There will be no calling hours.  A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 2nd, 2017 at  12PM in the Horse Meadow Annex Cemetery, North Haverhill, NH.