With heavy hearts, we would like to inform you that Gayle Elizabeth Byrne passed away peacefully on January 8th, at age 85, with her daughter and husband by her side. Gayle, who was born, raised and worked most of her life in the Rogue Valley, moved to Seattle with her husband soon after retirement to live with her daughter and family. Gayle's health took a turn over the past few years and she was most recently living at a memory care facility in Tukwila, Washington.

Gayle was born in 1939 to Walter and Naomi Childress in Medford and was the fourth of five children. She graduated from Crater High School in 1957 and attended the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science. Gayle was married to Victor Pagel (div) and James Smith (div) before proposing to her longtime love Michael Byrne and marrying in 1982. They had dated in their early twenties when she was a waitress, and then found each other again years later. Gayle had a daughter, Natalie, with her second husband and was step-mother to two boys, James Smith Jr. and Sean Smith.

Gayle began her career as Director of Crisis Intervention Programs at Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma, Washington followed by Employment Counselor at University of Hawaii. Upon settling in Central Point, she joined Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries in 1977 as Director of Rehabilitation of Disabled Adults. She became Executive Director in 1981 and was the longest serving senior leader upon her retirement in 2014. During her leadership, the organization grew from four stores and two counties to 15 stores and six counties with program services to over 3,000 people each year. Gayle served nine years on the board of directors for Asante Healthcare and became a member of the Medford Rogue Rotary in 1989. Gayle loved working with people and was a great listener and friend. She led by example and always rolled up her sleeves to lend a hand. She loved her family dearly and would do anything for them.

Gayle is survived by her husband, Michael Byrne; daughter and son-in law, Natalie and David McCoy; grandchild Finlay McCoy; sister and brother-in-law, Erma and Gordon Layton; sister Judy Bamforth; step-son and wife, James Jr and Laura Smith; grandchildren, Bennett & Parker Smith; step-son and partner, Sean Smith and Harriet Janman; grandson Alexander Smith; plus numerous nieces, nephews and grand and great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Perl Funeral Home in Medford, OR on Sunday, January 19, 2025 beginning at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Crater Foundation, craterfoundation.district6.org, in her honor.

To share a memory for a family keepsake, please see the link provided in this notice.