Lorraine Byrum

Lorraine Helen Byrum died at the age of 77 at Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C on October 11, 2024. Born in Rochester, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Robert Avery Meinhardt and Helen Marie Meinhardt. She graduated from Greece Olympia High School (1965) and Northwestern University (1969).

Lori was proud to be a real estate agent in Charlotte for nearly 30 years. She loved her home and the friends she made in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. She was a longtime member of Myers Park Methodist Church and then later of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.

Lori was a passionate advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She planned fundraisers, participated in day-to-day activities and helped create a life-enriching horticulture program. Lori also was a member of the Junior League of Charlotte.

Lori was always quite an entertainer. She was a great gourmet cook and famous for just “inventing” something delicious. She hosted many festive dinner parties for friends on Belvedere Avenue. Her kitchen was always the center of her home. She loved to have people gathered for great food, laughter and conversation.

Every year for Christmas she made dozens of cookies with recipes passed down by her mother. At some point, every child in the family participated in making bourbon balls, fudge, molasses cookies, ribbon cookies and cookie cutter sugar cookies that were individually decorated and iced. She took great pride in decorating her home for the holiday too, and loved setting a beautiful table with silver, china and crystal used by her family for generations.

Lori enjoyed many hobbies. She loved reading and collected a large library of books, many first editions. She always did the crossword puzzle and sudoku with her morning coffee. She spoke fluent French and occasionally played her baby grand piano, which she treasured. She was an enthusiastic collector of antique furniture and glassware, as well as unique handmade pottery. She loved to go antiquing, and any road trip always included a few impromptu stops “just to look”. She enjoyed gardening in her yard and spending time outdoors.

She spent many years active in Boy Scout Troop 1 at Holy Comforter with her grandson. They spent time in the wilderness on many camping adventures, built creative derby cars and worked on so many merit badges together.

She enjoyed traveling, but nowhere as much as going home to New York State. She most loved summer visits with the Redd family, at Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks. She spent many relaxing days there on the sleeping porch drinking coffee, playing bridge and doing puzzles at the card table. She also loved to visit the Thornton family back home in Rochester and the Fox family in Camden.

Lori is predeceased by her parents and beloved sister Joan Elizabeth Thornton and brother-in-law Bruce E. Thornton.

Lori is survived by her daughters Amanda Marie Byrum and Jennifer Helen Byrum, grandchildren Jacob Andrew Krauz and Quincy Elizabeth Krauz. Also by James and Carol Thornton (Matthew and Stephanie), Kimberly Joan Thornton (Vincent and Nicolas) and Lisa and Mark Marcello (John and Elizabeth), as well as many loyal friends. 

The family is honoring her request to not hold a service. They suggest a donation in her memory, if you are inclined,to Nevin’s Center in Charlotte, NC.