Mary G. Byrd

Mary Ghazar Byrd passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on December 13th, 2025, at the age of 95. 

Mary lived a full and exciting life marked by courage, generosity and public service. Her vivacious, joyful spirit and bold disposition will be remembered by all who met her.

Mary was born on Tuesday, March 18th 1930 in Beirut Lebanon into an established military family. After marrying and earning her US citizenship she threw herself wholeheartedly into public service and the betterment of her community, as well as service to the poor. Mary was also a faithful military wife, and, along with her husband, Robert, she established the Ocean Acres Civic association and was unanimously voted president two terms in a row. She organized many community events and fundraisers. Through this platform, she was able to rally the community to support Deborah Hospital, and earned Platinum membership, personally raising over $100,000.

Mary received multiple community awards and recognition forher service to the community, dubbed “Marys’ Taxi Service,” she would take the elderly to go food shopping or to medical appointments, bring food to those in need and visit the sick. She won the title of “Mrs. Stafford Township” in 1980 in a gown she made herself to the cheers of an exuberant crowd. She loved gardening, sewing and throwing lavish dinner parties. Her cooking and baking skills were unmatched.

Mary was the loving mother of three children, David, Philip and Donna, loving grandmother to Liberty Dawn, and is predeceased by her husband of 47 years Colonel Robert J Byrd and her son Philip.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 10:00am until her funeral service, 11:30am at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. Entombment will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, Wells Mills Road, Waretown, NJ.