Frances Dyro
October 15, 1941 ~ October 26, 2025
Portland – Frances Mary Dyro, 84, passed away at her home in Portland on October 26, 2025. Fran was born to Sigmund Stanislaus and Mary Agnes Dyro October 15,1941 in Portland, Maine.
She grew up in Portland, graduated from Portland High School in 1959 with high honors and received a full scholarship to MIT to be one of the very few women there. She went on to University of Maryland Medical School and then interned at Maine Medical Center, where she had been a Candy Striper in her youth.
After a neurology residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Fran practiced in her Portland home office on Danforth Street for several years. Kind, considerate and soft-hearted, she would accept payment in products such as flats of blueberries and quarts of maple syrup. She went on to practice at the West Roxbury, MA, Veteran’s Hospital and serve on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Her work there and at subsequent medical institutions led to many scientific and medical publications, one of which showed that inhaling glue vapors caused neurologic damage to Maine shoe factory workers. She often served as an expert witness in medical-legal matters.
Dr. Dyro volunteered for one month each year at a remote mission hospital in India, where she learned Hindi to better serve her patients. She was a fearless and adventurous traveler, often extending her India trips to explore alone throughout Asia and Europe. She was a member of the Portland Altrusa Club volunteering for many of its humanitarian projects. Frances was an accomplished seamstress, cook, forager of mushrooms, 10K runner, actress in local theater and coloratura soprano. Her powerful voice in the choir still echoes through Portland’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Frances is survived by her brothers Joseph (Elizabeth) and Stephen (Nora), 3 nieces and one nephew, and 4 grand nieces and 2 grand nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant St. Portland. Burial will be at Old Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland.
Services
Funeral Service: Friday, November 7, 2025 11:00 am
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
133 Pleasant Street
Portland, Maine
Interment: Friday, November 7, 2025 12:00 pm
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Dear Joe and Stevie, I hold many fond memories of Fran. The last time I visited with her was at sister Jan’s house for a get together after brother Rob’s death. She was Daddy’s Godchild and always special to our family. May you find peace and strength throughout this journey of loss. God bless you and your families. Much love from Jeff and Donna
Sending deepest sympathy to the family during this difficult time
My sympathy to you and your family. It’s been a long time since I saw you – we’ve lived in the Portland area for the past 40+ years. Hope to see you while you’re in town.
We have many fond memories of our neighbor, she was one of the kindest and funniest people I have ever met, and I will miss her very much. Big condolences and lots of love to the Dyro family from the Vo’s!
My deepest condolences go to the Dyro family. I remember Francis from the soprano section in choir at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. She always had a kind smile when we’d put on our choir robes. She was always gracious when in conversation with my mother during church events. Her grace was accompanied by her humility—what an accomplished life of amazing intellect and deep human caring. Memory Eternal! Elizabeth Prodromou Kyrou
Fran was a beloved 52 year member of the Altrusa Club of Portland, having been sponsored in 1973 by her Pediatrician Dr. Alice Whittier (a Charter Member of the Portland club in 1931). Fran was the President of our Portland Altrusa club from 1996-1997. In 2001 she was a candidate for 2nd Vice Governor of District One of Altrusa. The name Altrusa was formed in 1917 from the words ‘Altruism’ & ‘USA’ , although now it is an International organization. (District One covers all of New England, Eastern Canada, & Bermuda.) As you can guess by Fran’s life’s activities, her favorite committee assignment in Altrusa was ‘International Relations’. We had some fabulous ‘International’ events at her Danforth Street home over the years. She was a terrific hostess!
-Patricia Maxim (50 year member of the Portland Altrusa club)
To Joseph and Stephen Dyro and family:
You may recall my connection to the Dyro family with decades of close friendship with your father Zygmunt who entertained our Slavophile Society at our socials and picnics and Mary who never lost a chance to sell me tickets for a St.Louis parish dinner. Soon, I met you, Steve, and corresponded with Joseph. Along the way I was introduced to Frances and was kept abreast with her
extraordinary medical career. It is touching to learn of her
mastering the knowledge of mushroom hunting, a Polish traditional trait.
Given my frequent contacts with your parents and especially being imbued by Zygy’s spirited accordion playing, our pride in our shared heritage was invigorated.
Yet I regret that I never had the opportunity to hear Frances’ powerful voice during a Greek Orthodox service as my boyhood was embellished by the Hellenic culture of my dear neighbors. May the soul of Frances rest in peace
and may her many talents and dedication as a gifted physician, be long remembered and treasured.
With deep friendship,
John B. Wlodkowski