Essa McGinnis Byyny, mother of Richard L. Byyny, chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder, died of cancer Saturday, Jan. 31, in Long Beach, Calif. She was 86.
Mrs. Byyny had been ill for about three years. Chancellor Byyny had been in Long Beach this past week, arranging for home-hospice care for his mother. He was returning to Boulder Saturday morning to address current campus issues and learned of her death upon arriving at his Boulder home.
CU President Elizabeth Hoffman said, "On behalf of my husband Brian and the entire CU community, our hearts go out to Dick Byyny and his family. We were sorry he could not have been with her when she died, but he was on his way back to deal with current athletic issues on campus when he learned of her passing. Our prayers are with him during this difficult time."
Peter Steinhauer, chair of the CU Board of Regents, said, "I was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Byyny's death. Many of us had the opportunity to meet this lovely lady a few years ago. All of us on the Board of Regents extend our heartfelt condolences to the Byyny family."
Essa Byyny is survived by Chancellor Byyny, his wife Jo Byyny, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Chancellor Byyny, who was a first-generation college graduate, often has remarked on his mother's support of his educational goals. Essa Byyny was preceded in death by her husband, Oswald Byyny.
Funeral arrangements are pending.