BIRD: In Loving Memory of Cora Louise Bird who was born Oct. 25, 1924 at Cut Knife, SK and passed away Feb. 27, 2013 at Unity, SK. Left to cherish Cora's memory: her children: Robert (Sandra) Beaudry, Dennis (Sharon) Beaudry, Cheryl (George) Ehresman; daughter-in-law: Cecile Beaudry; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sister: Patricia Beaudry; sister-in-law: Rosalie Reinbolt; nieces, nephews and their families. Cora was predeceased by her parents: John and Anna Bird; her husband: Albert Beaudry; sons: Brian and Lloyd; grandson: Troy; great-grandson: Robbie; brother: Jack Bird; sisters: Bernadette, Agnes, Lillian, Beth and AnnaMarie. Vigil Of Prayer was held Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. from "The Garden Chapel" ~ Battlefords Funeral Service with Jean Pawlus, Presider and Funeral Mass was held Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. from Notre Dame De Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK with Fr. Gerard Legaspi, Celebrant. The Cross Bearer was Chad Beaudry; Eulogy by Brent Beaudry; Liturgy Of The Word readers were Curtis Beaudry, Misty Ehresman; Prayers of The Faithful, Vanessa Beaudry and Gerry Beaudry; Liturgy Of The Eucharist Offertory Gift Bearers, Cheryl Ehresman, Ryan Ehresman and Bobbi-Jo Flanagan. Cora resided in Cut Knife, the family farm then moved to North Battleford in 1962. Cora worked many jobs: a desk clerk at Notre Dame Hospital; owned and operated her own Beauty Salon; worked with Home Care; worked at Grobman's Ladies Wear - everyone loved buying from her because of Grandma's great taste. Always so stylish; and spent much of her time with home-based businesses: a variety of health products, skin care, pretty much everything from head to toe. Grandma's interests, hobbies, favorite things and talents included her love of painting, artwork & sketching. How she loved her flowers and veggie garden. She was so excited when she grew her first zucchini - she phoned everyone to let them know how incredible it was because it was so big. She said, "I can't believe it!" Coffee - all day, everyday! The pot was always on for whoever entered her abode and of course she would have to have one too! Her favorite flowers were daisies and sunflowers. How she loved to dance. If she would see someone sitting down at a dance hall she would be after them to get up and dance. She won many bowling awards but her absolute favorite was lawn-bowling. She was an ardent reader. Stayed up to date on current events and knew all the latest health trends which she loved to share. Grandma was passionate about her Irish heritage. She dreamt of going to Ireland. She listened to Celtic/Irish music and loved to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. She would call everyone first thing in the morning to wish them "top o' the mornin' to ya". She would always be sporting a 'Kiss Me, I'm Irish' pin. She loved watching sports especially curling, hockey and football. Her favorite thing was to talk to her family and friends on the phone. Grandma's style was important to her. She liked to have nice clothes, but especially her shoes and scarves. She also loved jewelry, especially bracelets. You could always hear when Grandma entered a room - Clink, clink. Grandma was a pack rat. She saved everything from wrapping paper, ribbons, gift bags to paper, bows and cards. It goes on and on from there. She would always say "you never know when you might need it" or "you can maybe do something with it". "I want my family to remember me by my phone calls ha ha ha ha - hey Cheryl?" to know how much I love my family. She had a love for birds and was forever making sure they had their bread crumbs. Her home was filled with many bird ornaments. Grandma loved her cabin at Atton's Lake and was thrilled to be just a few cabins down from George and Cheryl. She loved to sit on her deck with a cup of coffee and watch the sunset. She was so sad when she had to let it go. Grandma's volunteer work included Home-Care; worked with Villa Pascal - assisting residents to appointments; Knights Of Columbus Bingos and Luncheons; CWL - was a member in Cut Knife and North Battleford; Royal Purple Member - Cut Knife; Wilbert Home-makers Club; Canadian Cancer Society; Coordinated the Wellness Program in the manor (Grandma's place of residence); led exercises in the manor; Legion Auxiliary; involved in many church activities; was a professional judge for many years for figure skating; always made herself available where there was a need - if people needed a ride they would always call upon Cora and she always said yes and she hated the word BORED - she was always busy and on the go. Grandma's strength was being kind and helpful. She was generous and sweet and loved to help the less fortunate. She was compassionate and supportive and was the BEST listener. She was always there to supportive and celebrate her family's accomplishments. Accomplishments in her words were "bringing up my family through the good years and the poor years." Her favorite places in her words: "Her home and where my children live". Grandma's last two years entailed an immense amount of suffering which forced a great change in her lifestyle but through her faith she handled it with great dignity. May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back; may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields; and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. (An Irish Blessing) Our Mom's Blessing too! You'll be sadly missed. Hugs from us, Mom - your family In Honor of Cora Bird We would like to thank all of our family and friends for your generous support and kindness shown by the many phone calls, cards, masses, prayers, contributions to charities, food, flowers, hugs and comforting words after the passing of our most precious gift - our mother, grandmother and friend. A sincere thank you to Dr. Williams for your loving and compassionate care in mom's last hours. Also a huge bouquet of thanks to the nurses who tended to mom: Carol, Stephanie, Bernie, Paula and Jane. Your warmth and care during those last hours were so comforting to Cora and her family. Thank you to Father Johny for all of your prayers and for the Sacrament of Healing. Your presence was a blessing and a comfort to all of us in this sad time. A special thank you to Father Legaspi at Notre Dame Parish in North Battleford and Father Frederik from the Cut Knife Parish for leading mom's Celebration of Life in a very meaningful and comforting way. Thanks to the Notre Dame Choir and Robert MacKay (soloist and funeral director) for your beautiful singing and to Lisa Hornung for being the pianist. We are very thankful to Jean Pawlus for helping us prepare the Prayer Vigil and the Eucharistic Celebration. Your kind words were a blessing and well received. Thank you to the Notre Dame C.W.L. for the honor guard and the very special tribute to mom. Thank you for the well prepared luncheon. A word of thanks to the staff at the Cut Knife Care Home (a home away from home) for the care and friendship mom received. Finally, thank you to Robert MacKay, the funeral director for Battleford's Funeral Service, for your compassionate, caring and kind assistance in guiding us through a difficult time. You are a gifted individual and a blessing to many! A huge hug from Cora and her family to all of you that knew her. God Bless you all. Cheryl & George Bob & Sandra Dennis and Sharon and families
