Mary Ellen Byrne Metzler

Mary Ellen Byrne Metzler, age 98, passed away on December 5, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, John August Metzler, her parents, her sisters Margaret Kleinermann, Catherine Byrne, Ruth Wilson, and her brother Robert Byrne. 

She is survived by her children Thomas Metzler (Kathleen), John Metzler, Gerard Metzler, Ellen Franks (Al Wise), Mary Ann Munoz (Sam), Karen Olcha (Keith) Jean Marie Rapp (TJ) and Patricia Taylor (Phil), her grandchildren Mary Burch (Matt), Tim Metzler, Sarah Metzler, Laura Acton (Jimmy), Diana Montoya (Michael), Kimberly Holliday (Ryan), Matthew Olcha (Melissa), Jackie Wolk (Tim), Samuel Munoz (Abigail) and Victoria Rapp and her great grandchildren Haley Metzler, Audrey Montoya, Jacob Montoya, Allison Acton, Sydney Acton, Riley Munoz, Quinn Holliday and Kodah Munoz. 

Mary was born on April 26, 1927 in Ridgewood, NY. Mary’s values and work ethic were formed as a child of the depression and a member of the Greatest Generation. She devoted her life to caring for her family and others. As the mother of eight, Mary needed strength, wisdom and a whole lot of patience. She rose to the challenge as a warrior and a saint. When her youngest child started college, Mary was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of a college education, earning a Masters of Arts degree at age 66 from Texas Women’s University. She had the honor of meeting Gwendolyn Brooks, the poet laureate of Illinois on whom Mary wrote her professional paper for her degree.

 Mary was an active volunteer for many years at St. Francis R.C. Church in Grapevine, Tx, Meals on Wheels and the Southlake Senior Center. Mary was an intellectual, a devout Catholic and a woman of great compassion She was loved by many and leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of her family.