PORT ANGELES — A bicyclist killed Sunday afternoon on state Highway 112 west of Port Angeles was a YMCA exercise instructor, Port Angeles Senior Center volunteer and Peninsula Senior Games commissioner.
Marian M. Byse, 65, of Port Angeles was killed Sunday when a vehicle driven by Marylan A. Thayer, 65, of the Joyce area hit the bicycle from behind, said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, spokeswoman for the State Patrol.
Byse and Thayer were both eastbound on state Highway 112 at Elwha River Road.
Byse, who was wearing a helmet and brightly colored clothing, was thrown from the bike and landed in the westbound lane.
She was transported to Olympic Medical Center and was pronounced dead about 90 minutes later.
Byse was remembered Monday as an enthusiastic volunteer and avid cyclist.
For the past four years, she was co-commissioner of the Peninsula Senior Games, riding “sweeper” behind runs or simply waiting at intersections to encourage runners on, said D Bellamente, senior center director.
“She was a sweetie,” Bellamente said.
As a 10-year volunteer for the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, Byse was involved in the Reindeer Run and myriad other activities, said Dan Estes, Port Angeles city events coordinator.
She was always eager to help and a joy to be around, Estes said.
Byse was still recovering from another mishap two years ago in which she was hit by a car while bicycling, he said.
She often rode her bike into town and taught classes at the Clallam County YMCA.
“She was in amazing shape for her age,” Estes said.
Highway 112 was closed for more than four hours Sunday as state troopers investigated the collision.
The collision is still under investigation, Hedstrom said.
Troopers are trying to determine whether Byse was in the travel lane of the two-lane highway — or if she was on the pavement at all, Hedstrom added.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.