Melanie Hope O'Byrne

Melanie Hope Garner O'Byrne, 56, of 1008 Anderson St., Dublin, GA, formerly of Marietta, GA, went to be with her Lord on May 16, after a lengthy illness, at Georgia Regent's University Medical Center in Augusta. Melanie was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC on April 6, 1960, the daughter of Phyllisa (Mundell) (formerly of Nova Scotia, Canada), and John Earl Garner, (formerly of Cedartown, GA). Melanie was married for 31 years to Patrick Wayne O'Byrne, also formerly of Marietta. She was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Marietta. She is survived by her husband, one child, Dylan Chase O'Byrne, 23, both of Dublin, GA, her mother and stepfather, Jacob Adams, also of Dublin, her father and stepmother, Sheila, of Hiram, GA, sisters Carmen Paige (Tom) Marlow of Hiawassee, GA, and Shannon Brooke (Randall) Hancock, and nephews Taylor and Jordan Hancock, all of Enterprise, AL. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins in Canada, including her beloved Nova Scotia, and where the Mundell homeplace "Willow Grove" is located in Barrington, and which she always called her second home. She is also survived by one great-uncle in GA, one great-aunt in TN, and cousins in the USA and Bermuda. She was predeceased by two sets of beloved grandparents, Lena and Joseph Mundell, of Barrington, Nova Scotia, and Polly and William "Preacher" Harrell, of Atlanta and Cedartown, GA. Melanie grew up in the Village Green subdivision, Marietta, GA, graduating from Osborne High School in Marietta, GA in 1978, and stayed in touch all her life with many of her high school friends, for they were most special to her. Prior to moving to Dublin in 1990, she worked for several businesses in Cobb County, including the Marietta Daily Journal. In Dublin she was employed for many years in the medical field, including Fairview Park Hospital and at physicians' offices. During her many hospitalizations these past months, Melanie has been an amazing source of inspiration and admiration to friends, family, and a host of medical professionals for the remarkable courage and resilience she displayed upon meeting insurmountable adversities with fierce determination, true grit, and an indomitable spirit. How well she represented her middle name "Hope." Throughout all these trials, her faith in God never wavered, as each morning she looked for the rising sun from her hospital window to daily affirm her belief and always wanted the blinds open. Melanie was a voracious reader, especially of older classics and poems, appreciated antiques and historic homes, loved "old-fashioned" collectibles and old movies, and thrilled to hearing the bagpipes play when she touched shore in Nova Scotia. She enjoyed playing the piano and liked many kinds of music, loved all nature, notably the ocean and mountains, visiting lighthouses, was a dog lover, and enjoyed sports, her favorite being college football, especially her GA Bulldogs and never missed the Masters. She cherished the many paintings and handcrafts made by her artistic husband and proudly displayed them throughout their home. But Melanie was first and foremost a "people person," and her caring and compassionate nature was her finest trait. She always wanted to know more than meets the eye when she met someone. She never looked the other way when others were in need, for hers was of a rare, true humanitarian spirit. Melanie said "One never knows what another is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes." Her greatest joy was found in her immediate family, especially her pride and joy, her son Dylan; and she was happiest when she was at home with Pat and Dylan. Melanie has been a fierce and valiant warrior since her constant hospitalization that began in January. Despite all, she never lost her faith. Of her it can truly be said: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." To know Melanie was to love her – for she was love personified. Contributions to honor Melanie may be made to the Dublin GA Humane Society; the Riverdale Cemetery, Barrington, Nova Scotia, Canada; the ministry of Dudley United Methodist Church, Dudley, GA; or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Dudley United Methodist Church, Dudley, GA, with reception following. Stanley Funeral Home, Dublin, GA is entrusted with final arrangements.