Beverly Byron, who represented Maryland’s 6th Congressional District for 14 years, died Sunday in Frederick. She was 92 years old.
Born in Baltimore, she first worked as an unpaid aide for her husband, Goodloe Edgar Byron. Upon his death, she successfully ran for the Sixth District seat, serving from 1979 to 1993.
Byron was an influential member of the Armed Services and Interior Committees and went on to chair the Military Personnel and Compensation Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee, becoming the first women to serve as chair of a subcommittee on Armed Services.
She was the first woman to fly in the military’s SR-71 Blackbird military aircraft.
“Congresswoman Byron’s legacy is one of service, determination and a deep commitment to the people she represented,” County Executive Marc Elrich said.
Rep. April McClain Delaney, who is the current District 6 representative to Congress, posted on social media, that she “so respected Bev for her piercing intellect, dry humor, dogged persistence, long public service and her big heart.”
McClain Delaney also posted, “As a trail blazing woman in Congress—when women comprised only 3% of elected members—she balanced family (as a solo parent!), service to the 6th District and incredible thought leadership. I am the first woman in the 30 years following her tenure to represent Maryland’s 6th District and have been privileged to come to know her incredible spirit and learn from her life experiences. At 92, she still kept abreast of every political development, was seemingly sharper than most half her age and even up to two weeks ago was calling me with sage insights. God bless you, Bev, for a life well lived in purpose and community, and a light for all to see.”
Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller posted, “Terribly saddened by the loss of Beverly Byron, a great Congresswoman who never lost her passion for public things and the common good in her beloved Frederick County and in Maryland. She’s been helpful to me from my first day in Congress, and I will always treasure her friendship.”
She was known as a “staunch advocate for national security and proud to represent the great many members and retirees of the military in the 6th District,” according to her obituary.
Byron was the original sponsor of national Rails-to-Trails legislation, thereby helping expand the country’s network of hiking and recreational trails. She strove to enhance what she referred to as “her parks” in Western Maryland, including Antietam, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the 180-mile-long C&O Canal National Historical Park.
After leaving Congress, she chaired the board of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Maryland TEDCO, and the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy and served on the Board of Directors of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and the Advisory Committee of the Chief of Naval Operations.
In 1993, President George H.W. Bush appointed Byron to serve on the Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission, which recommended changes and closures for military bases to Congress. She served on the U.S. Secretary of Defense’s Advisory Committee on Women in Service and helped to build the Air Force Memorial in Arlington.
Contributions in her memory can be made to the American Heart Association and the Catoctin Land Trust.
Visitation is at Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes in Frederick on Feb. 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Feb. 25 at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville at 11:00 a.m.
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) February 10, 2025
Sending so much love to the entire Byron family today with the passing of former Congresswoman Beverly Byron—their incredible matriarch. John and I so respected Bev for her piercing intellect, dry humor, dogged persistence, long public service and her big heart. As a trail… pic.twitter.com/IXk3JFZP0T
— Rep. April McClain Delaney (@RepAprilDelaney) February 10, 2025
Photo Courtesy of Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A.
