LaVerne Marie “Skip” O’Byrne was born on June 3, 1940 in Raton, New Mexico to Vincent and Theresa (Gayet) Vukonich, the eldest of 2 daughters. She spent her entire childhood in Raton and graduated from Raton High School in 1958. On March 27th 1959 she married John F. O’Byrne and they spent the next 63 years raising a family and making memories. They started their family in Raton with the birth of their daughter Jody followed by John Pat, the first of 4 sons. The family moved to Jacksonville, Texas where the O’Byrne family owned and operated a sawmill. There Skip and John would spend several years and welcomed James (Crowbar), Joel (Booster) and Josh. In 1968 the O’Byrne clan loaded up and relocated to Silver City new Mexico. After 5 years they again relocated to Animas, New Mexico where Skip and John raised their family.
Skip went to work at Animas Public Schools in 1973 and spent the next 36 years as the “Go To” person working as the high school secretary, the ultimate Ms. AHS. During this time Skip also drove a school bus on several routes. Never was there a student that walked into the high school office, or loaded up on her bus, that Skip did not make feel welcome. If you were a student at AHS you were one of Skip’s kids. She loved AHS and up to a week before her passing she would ask,” When does school start? How many kids do we have in school? Do we have any new teachers?”
Skip passed peacefully on July 19, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents. Skip is survived by her husband John of Animas, NM, her sister Bev (Ernie) Johnson of Raton, NM, daughter Jody Hatch (Johnny) of Animas, John Pat (Kim) of Las Cruces, James of Animas, Joel (Melodie) of Animas and Josh (Paige) of Eastend, Saskatchewan along with 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Skip will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Skip was entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Deming, NM for cremation and no services are scheduled at this time.
