Kristi Lynn Byrne, age 59, of White Lake Township, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022, at University of Michigan Medical Center.

She was born in Lincoln Park, MI, January 23, 1963.

When Kristi was asked to describe her life in one word she responded " fun. "

Though her battle with cancer took her before any of us were ready, we can smile fondly on her life of adventure.

She grew up in a small house in Taylor with her mom, dad, a sister, three brothers, and two stepbrothers. Kristi was known to keep her siblings in line, so much so that they dubbed her, "Mama Kristi." She fondly recalled her time growing up on Zeigler Street and laughed while telling stories of her and her siblings making the most of every day. She was always a good student and had blast when she got to Kennedy High School. She was very active, had lots of friends, and was the editor of the school paper. She also met a boy named Chris that would become the love of her life and husband for 33 years.

Her twenties were her great adventure years, she and Chris got married and moved to the Cayman Islands. They lived in beautiful beach front condos, sailed, scuba dove, and thoroughly enjoyed the island lifestyle. She traveled extensively in the Caribbean, Europe, Central America.

In her thirties she decided to start a family. She and Chris had two beautiful daughters, Mackenzie and Carly, only a year and four days apart. Both girls were born on Grand Cayman but after a couple of years she started to miss her family, so they packed up, headed back to Michigan and settled in Livonia.

Livonia was a great place to raise a family so she spent the next twenty years focused on showing her girls how much fun life can be. She never lost her love of adventure and spent most of her free time cruising the great lakes on a 44-foot Motor Yacht, taking trips to Florida and of course, returning to her second home the Caribbean.

During her family's time in Livonia, Kristi worked for Grandview Elementary, where she met a group of caring, fun-loving people like herself. Kristi worked for Grandview for over 10 years, and when she left, she kept the friends she made with her. She would keep in touch with her core group, which she lovingly teased as, "The Old Lady Club," and have fun nights out every month that she always looked forward to.

Her next career move would take her into the world of retail management. She worked for a store called Tuesday Morning, where once again she made strong friendships. She had a precise eye for design, and eagerly took on creating displays for the store that were praised by corporate. Kristi loved her job and the people she worked with so much, she often pop-in on her days off just to visit ( and perhaps get a good deal! )

When the kids were in college, she and Chris decided it was time for another change, so in 2015 they moved to a beautiful lake front home in White Lake. She spent the next seven years enjoying lake life, continuing to travel, including her dream trip to the Greek Islands, and watching her girls thrive. Her last and greatest joy was the birth of grandson Nikolaj in January 2022.

Kristi had a green thumb that could help any plant thrive. She had a brilliant mind apt to solving puzzles and mysteries. She loved thrifting and studying the history of all the items she found on her trips. Creativity and artistry came naturally to her. Her outlets included drawing, painting, and photography. Any meal Kristi created was genuinely made with love, as the kitchen was one of her happiest places.

Notably, Kristi was deeply compassionate when it came to animals. She would pet every stray on her travels around the world. Stop the car and help a turtle cross the road. Shelter a bird's nest that had fallen from a tree. When it came to her rescue pets, she quickly bonded to them all and gave them joyous lives filled with unquestionable love.

She had many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved as her own children. She was endlessly proud of their achievements and would provide a supportive embrace to any of them whenever it was needed.

Kristi's heart was always shown in how she cared for those around her. She not only had a lot of friends and family, but a lot of friends and family for life.

"I hope that I see the world as you did, 'cause I know a life with love is a life that's been lived."

Kristi was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Lee Pinkham.  She is the beloved daughter of Barbara Laiklam (Joseph); loving wife of 33 years to Christopher Byrne; cherished mother of Mackenzie (Ethan) and Carly Byrne; dearest grandmother of Nikolaj Harig; fondest sister of Greg Pinkham (Renee), Jacqueline Zeune (Kim), Steven Pinkham (Dawn) and the late Thomas Pinkham and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

The Byrne family will receive guests Saturday, August 13, 1-4 pm at the funeral home, where a service will be held beginning at 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St Jude Children's Hospital for cancer research.

Please keep the Byrne family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.