Donald James Howard, former actor and stage manager, passed away on Aug. 14, 1999 at North Shore Hospital in Manhasset. He died of liver disease. He was 47. A cum laude graduate of Amherst College in 1974, he received his master of fine arts degree from Smith College in 1976. He performed in various theatrical productions, including Alone Together with Kevin McCarthy and Janice Paige on Broadway and the national tours of West Side Waltz with Katherine Hepburn and Legends with Carol Channing and Mary Martin. He also served as stage manger for several tours of Death Trap and an international tour of West Side Story.

He is survived by his mother, Martha Carey McDonald Howard, and his brother, Ken. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Manhasset. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Congregational Church Choir Fund.

Mary Elizabeth Byrnes, 71, a long-time Manhasset resident, died on Aug. 17 in East Providence, R.I. after a long illness. She also lived in Port Washington for many years before retiring to Barrington, RI two years ago.

Born in Dorchester, MA, on July 8, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Connors) Dolan. She spent her childhood in Queens and was a graduate of The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, as well as Georgian Court College in Lakewood, NJ. She worked for more than 20 years as a paralegal in several law firms.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Frank Byrnes of Barrington, RI; three daughters, Patricia Byrnes of Providence, RI, Kathleen Byrnes of Bedford, MA, Eileen Byrnes of Sandy Hook, CT; a son, Brian Byrnes of Gaithersburg, MD; four grandchildren, Patrick and Nathan Stein of Sandy Hook, CT, and Mary Kate and Faith Moses of Providence, RI; a brother, Robert Dolan of Punta Gorda, FL, and a sister, Barbara Denson of New Canaan, CT. Her brother William Dolan predeceased her.

A woman with a wonderful sense of humor and a loyal friend to many, Mrs. Byrnes was an avid reader and had a strong interest in interior design. She was active in a political affairs discussion group in Providence. During her life in Manhasset, she volunteered for many organizations, including St. Francis Hospital. After moving to Manhasset in 1967, she was active in the Newcomers Club and for many years was a member of Plandome Country Club. A communicant of St. Mary's for 30 years, she was involved in many school and church organizations, including the Rosary Society and its bridge group.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 20 at St. Sebastian's Church, Providence. Interment was the next day at Swan Point Cemetery, also in Providence. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary's on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m.

Contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI, 02860.