Obituary
Thelma Marie Bird passed away peacefully on the evening of October 16, 2022, at the North Island Comox Valley Hospital. Mom began life in Amherst, NS on May 22, 1933, the last of 9 children born in the family of the late Mainsworth and Florence MacDonald.
In 1953 she married Bob Bird and enjoyed life as a military wife, raising 4 children and moving every few years as Dad’s job required with postings to Trenton, ON; North Bay, ON; 4 F wing Baden-Baden, Germany; Summerside, PEI; and a final posting to Comox where they retired. After retirement Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel wintering in Arizona and cruises through Europe, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal.
Mom loved music and dancing and once she and Dad learned to square dance in 1959, there was no stopping them. Round dancing and clogging were next, and they both were a joy to watch on the dance floor.
Mom was a very talented knitter and always had a project on the go – for years she knit baby layette sets and baby blankets which were donated to the gift shop at the hospital. In her later years, she was busy knitting scarves, toques and baby blankets which she donated to various charities in the Valley
Mom volunteered for 39 years with the Evergreens Seniors Centre in the kitchen. In 2001 she was honored to be acknowledged as volunteer of the year.
Mom was predeceased by Dad in 2018, son Wayne in 1990, her brothers Irving, Edison, David, Lloyd, Russell, Alden, and Percy. She is survived by her daughter Donna (Steve), her sons Roger and Gary; her grandchildren Lindsay, Scott (Jen), Tanya, Jillian (Ryan), Stephanie, Derek (Vicky), Robert (Stephanie), Crystal (Chris) and 14 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister Mildred Angus, her sisters-in-law Grace MacDonald, Gwyneth Barrie, Paulette Bird and her brother-in-law Sterling Bird as well as many other family members.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you for the care, Mom received from Dr Gee, Dr Dan, Dr Neufeld, and the staff at the Comox Valley Hospital. Many thanks to the staff at Casa Loma where Mom resided for the last 14 months.
No service as per Mom’s request. The family will be taking Mom and Dad’s ashes back to NS next year for internment in the Amherst cemetery.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Thelma Marie Bird May 22 1933 October 16 2022 (age 89)..
Telford, Toneff and Boyd Burial and Cremation Centres
Death notice for the town of: Courtenay, Province: Colombie britanique
We wish to send condolences to Thelma’s family. Thelma and Bob were a happy couple who were so dedicated to the Ocean Waves Square Dance Club. They gave so much vitality to our club and Thelma continued even after her husband left us. We’re sure she has left many, many good memories for her family – as she did for our club.
The Ocean Waves Square Dance Club.