BYRON NEWS: Another goodbye to a classmate

It is sobering to lose a lifelong friend. Elaine Enes Wirth grew up in Byron, just around the corner in the blue house at the top of the river bottom hill. We started kindergarten together and were friends all through school. A funeral was held on Friday. Not many attended as is the norm when one has lived away through their adult years. But, for those of us that were there, as well as her family, who had traveled many miles, it was a sweet tribute of memories from her children and grandchildren. 

Elaine’s obituary was in the Chronicle accompanied by a picture of her pretty smiling face. It detailed the timeline and high points of her life. Those who knew her knew the other details, the actions that fill in the spaces and cracks a written chronology often misses. 

When Elaine was about 3, she lost three fingers in an irrigation pump accident. That never slowed her down. She became an accomplished piano player with the partial fingers she had left. She had an older brother, Marv, whose influence contributed to her adventuresome spirit. She tagged along with him and his friends to the river, Sokes swimming hole and wherever curiosity took kids who were out and about exploring with freedom that the 50s seemed to afford. 

Elaine had a beautiful singing voice and sang in chorus, ensembles and just for fun. She had her dad’s (Ken Enes) sense of humor. She married her childhood sweetheart Steve Wirth (sculptor of the statue of Byron Sessions at Memorial Park). They had four daughters, April, Maylee, Laurel and Sarah. 

It was found that there was a very rare genetic lung disease that changed their life. Both April and Sarah had lung transplants. They were both adults with children of their own. Elaine became the second mom to their families while they went through the long recoveries and treatments. Both daughters did not survive the after effects of the transplants. Their little family suffered those terrible losses and embraced the future with the hope of eternal life. 

As I listened to Elaine’s children and grandchildren share a few of their memories of their mom and grandma, I was struck with how the little everyday actions have impact. There were memories of mom getting the girls tucked in bed and then playing the piano to lull them to sleep. Sometimes they would call out a favorite song for her to play. 

They grew up with a day care that Elaine started at home as well as foster kids that joined them off and on. The grandkids talked of a cupboard of treats always full, a grandma that said long prayers and how they would sometimes interject more than once with an amen. 

Elaine and Steve enjoyed a home up Northfork on Jim Mountain. There were lots of memories of summers on the mountain, seeing the wildlife and doing the housework their grandma assigned before fun began. She was a beloved mom and grandma, and her children and grandchildren are carrying on her legacy of love. It was a pleasure to reflect on a beautiful heart and a beautiful life. I know Elaine impacted many lives in many ways. Her choices every day are what made the memories that last. 

*****

The Byron Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt in the park was well attended, and pictures with the Easter Bunny was a hit. The Lions Club is a service organization that is involved in many good deeds, most recently supplying water, snacks and power drinks to the firefighters and responders. They are gearing up for the upcoming yearly fundraising auction Saturday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Byron Bar. 

You may have noticed the new banners on our light poles commemorating America’s 250 years. They are a nice addition to our Main Street. 

I hear we are getting water in the ditches earlier than usual, so get ready to start greening up.