Marie Bytnar Riel

June 16, 1917 - April 30, 2019

Obituary For Marie Bytnar Riel

Marie Bytnar Riel, 101, recently of Ocala, Florida, peacefully passed away on April 30, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was born in Nokomis, Illinois on June 16, 1917 and lived in St. Louis, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Ocala, Florida. In September 2017, she relocated to Raleigh, NC to be closer to family.

Marie was a state-champion badminton player, avid golfer, and gardener. She was active in many activities supporting Catholic parishes everywhere she lived and in later years participated daily in the Mass, Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy on the Eternal Word Television Network.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim, in 1982 and by her brothers, Joseph Bytnar and Frank Bytnar and brother-in-law, Joseph Kuszaj.

Marie is survived by her sister, Ann Kuszaj of St. Louis, MO and many devoted nephews and nieces and longtime friends in Ocala.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 12333 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27614. The family will receive visitors one hour prior. Marie will be interred at a later date with her husband in Ocala.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Marie to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210. www.ewtn.com

The family is grateful to the staff of Kindred Hospice of Oxford and Brighton Gardens of Raleigh who helped care for Marie during the last year.

Services

9 May

Visitation

10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

St. Luke the Evangelist R.C. Church 12333 Bayleaf Church Road Raleigh, NC 27614 Get Directions »

9 May

Funeral Service

11:00 AM

St. Luke the Evangelist R.C. Church 12333 Bayleaf Church Road Raleigh, NC 27614 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

September 01, 2020

Eileen Bytnar

I'll never forget you, Aunt Mary, especially since your heavenly birthday was on my earthly birthday! I had been praying for a special day for you! May you rest in the arms of Jesus and celebrate your homecoming with all your family!
September 01, 2020

Mark Bytnar

I will always remember our family's visit to her home with Jim in Florida when I was a little boy (7 years old circa 1977). She was so welcoming and such a nice lady that made us feel at home, while we sat outside and talked about how my dad, Tom - her nephew, would always misbehave! I remember admiring her energy and fervor for life, with her very active lifestyle from her badminton days to golfing (and hers and Jim's golf cart at their house) to her trampoline exercises as an 80 year old woman! She will be truly missed and our deepest sympathies go to the Aunt Annie and the Kuszaj family that cared for her in her elderly years. - Mark, Dorette, Rylan & Brynne Bytnar - Chicago
September 01, 2020

Thomas M Bytnar

I have fond memories of Aunt Mary going back to my childhood. When visiting her and Uncle Jim I admired all her Badminton and golf trophies. On Sunday visits I learned how to sit quietly while watching golf on TV. This prepared me for watching golf with my wifes parents, be quiet, no talking . She was a very thoughtful and caring person. When we visited Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim in Ocala they were wonderful hosts. When my wifes parents visited they invited them for a round of golf, and dinner at their Country Club. After Aunt Mary took her Mom (my Grandma Bytnar who we loved) to Poland, she wrote a wonderful travelogue of her visit where Grandma was born. Aunt Mary was a strong -willed woman, very much a take charge person. In fact ,Uncle Jim called her Sarge. She was a very devout Catholic and we know she is now in Heaven with all her many family members and friends which she had many being close to 102 years old. P.S. Contrary to what my son Mark wrote in a previous obit memory I never MISBEHAVED when visiting our Aunt Mary.