Catherine Mae (Dole) Byrnes, 56, formerly of Camden passed away unexpectedly the morning of December 13th, 2024 at Penobscot Bay Medical Center.

Born in Haverhill, Mass, on Halloween 1968, she was the youngest daughter of Clement (Pete) and Geraldine (Gerry) Dole. Cathy spent her early years in Georgetown Mass, where she made lasting memories with her parents, aunts and grandmother. She shared a special relationship with her dad. The Dole family moved to Camden Maine when Cathy was young. She made many friends while attending Camden/Rockport schools, she carried several of those friendships into her adult life.

While working at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida, she met the love of her life, Steve Byrnes. They married in Gloucester Massachusetts in December of 1992 before Steve enlisted in the Marine Corps which would take them on many adventures throughout the US and to Japan over the next 32 years. Cathy took pride in being a Marine Corps wife, helping other wives and families to adjust to the military life and while their partners were on deployment. Through duty stations in Tustin, CA, Quantico, VA, Yuma, AZ, Cherry Point, NC, Iwakuni, Japan and finally San Diego, CA, she and Steve met some amazing friends that became extended family. Cathy would tell you though, her best accomplishment and biggest source of pride in life were their children, Zachary and Abby Byrnes whom she loved dearly.

Through the years, Cathy and Steve took many adventures all over the country, never thinking twice about jumping in whatever vehicle they had and driving up/down the coast or across the country. Many times, they were off to visit family and friends or just to see another part of the country they hadn’t seen before. They always made sure to stop at a restaurant that caught their attention on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Often while Steve was deployed, Cathy would think nothing of loading the kids and their dog into the car and setting off on a family trek north to Maine or south to Florida if they were on the east coast or from Arizona to the California coast or mountains. Just this summer, they knocked several states off her bucket list with two cross country trips from San Diego to Maine, back to Arizona and finally to their home in Cushing.

Cathy was predeceased by her grandparents, her mother-in-law Karen Soiett Dickey and one of her best friends, Kathy (Littlefield) Carle. She is survived by her husband, Steve, children Zac and Abby, her fur babies Clemment (Clem Dog) and Lennart (Lenny), her fur-grands, Jameson & Hyde. She is also survived by her parents, nephew Jared Ricker, niece, Susan Ricker Arrington, dear friends, Lisa Carron and family, Penny Rich and family, Chris Troughton and family, Paul Herrle and family, Bob Lee and family, the entire Kelley Ferrari family, and lastly her Yuma families the Cullens and the Days. She will be sadly missed by her extended family.

The family will hold a private celebration at Lincolnville Beach this spring.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.