Signa Jane Byers
September 9, 1922 - March 14, 2004
Obituary
Signa Jane Byers was born September 9, 1922, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and died March 14, 2004 in Burien. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Kenneth H. Byers, a retired captain for United Air Lines. Jane was the second of three girls born to Effie Collamer Ayres and John Ayres, both of pioneer Colorado families.
Jane graduated from Fort Collins High School in Fort Collins, Colorado. She lived in various places, such as Glendale, California; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Cleveland, Ohio; and the Seattle, Washington, area, where she lived for over 60 years.
During her very active life, Jane served as State President and as Deputy to National Conference of Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, President and chairman of several local and state committees of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Recording Secretary and Treasurer of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America. She held various chairmanships and was a trustee on the House Board for Rainier Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and was Corresponding Secretary for Washington State Society. She was an active member of both Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Washington State Society of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812. Jane and her daughter Amy belonged to the Cameo Society. She was a member of Mensa and a life member of the Seattle Genealogical Society. Jane was a founding member of the McMicken Heights Extension Club. She worked tirelessly in different offices of the PTA while her children were in school. She was employed by Boeing during World War II. She was an active member of Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist, of Seattle, Washington.
A lifelong love of reading led to years of service on library boards. Jane took tailoring classes at Edison Technical College and Spanish and Latin classes at Highline Community College. She enjoyed completing the New York Times crossword puzzle every day. Other interests included travel in the United States and Europe, motorcycles, and driving her Corvette. She had a great sense of style.
Jane is survived by her sons, John H. Byers and Kenneth A. Byers, her daughter, Amy L. Andrews James, her three grandchildren, Daniel del Val, Linda and Melissa Byers, and her niece, Nicki Roberts.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 23, at 12:30 p.m. at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial, 16445 International Boulevard, SeaTac.
It was hard to believe that Jane passed while we were gone.
She and I had so many fine years of good times together. We did family research, D.A.R. and some interesting trips. She and Ken joined Glen and I in Wash. D.C. one summer when Glen did some work for the Smithsonian. Jane and I drove nonstop from Salt Lake to Seattle one spring and had great conversations all the way. She was just a joy to be with and supported me in my many efforts from dance when Amy was a youngster to decorating the D.A.R. House at Christmas.
I will never forget her voice and up beat attitude nor will my family. She loved cars and even let my husband drive her corvette.
Jane will be greatly missed. She was a friend since the 1970s, and we were planning to have lunch soon. She was a delightful person. We knew each other through the Seattle Genealogical Society and the late Arthur Fiske’s genealogy classes. My sympathy to the family.
Jane delighted in life and brought joy to everyone. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.
A true friend has indeed been lost to us left here on earth, but she will never be forgotten.
A marvelous lady, a true Christian, who gave of herself to so many.
With eyes closed I see her smile, and hear her laugh.
May God enjoy her as much as we did.
My, what accomplishments and a full, productive life she had. I regret that I will be out of town the day of the memorial service. I extend my best wishes to the entire family! Dean.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow. We share many wonderful Collamer family memories.