Mary Ann Bird
Cemetery Record Information
Full Name: Mary Ann Bird
Maiden Name: Timm
Life
Birth: September 9, 1913
Death: December 28, 2010
Age: 97
Obituary
Mary Ann Bird, 97, died on December 28, 2010. Born on September 9, 1913 in Merrill, Wisconsin, she was the fourth child of Tracy and Mary Gallagher Timm. The family moved to Fond du Lac when Mary was four years old.
She graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1931. In 1932 she graduated from the Fond du Lac County Normal School and was licensed as a teacher. Her teaching career ended when she married Norris Bird, a handsome young dairy farmer from South Byron, on September 21, 1935. This city girl moved to Bluebird Farms in South Byron to begin her married life, sharing a home with Norris's parents, Sidney and Maude Sampson Bird. Norris and Mary Ann's marriage lasted over 70 years, until Norris died in 2006.
Norris and Mary Ann raised eight children and then fostered 13 infants. Mary Ann was an active member of the South Byron Grange and served as a 4-H leader. She and Norris were members of St. John the Evangelist parish in Byron for over 50 years. Mary Ann taught CCD to children of the parish, and was a member of the Altar Society.
After leaving the farm she became a volunteer with Hospice Hope and ministered to numerous patients and bereaved families over a period of 25 years. With her dear friend and fellow volunteer, Clare McCullough, she organized many social and appreciation events for the Hospice volunteers. After moving to Fond du Lac, Mary Ann served on the Bereavement Team at St. Mary's Parish, and later at Holy Family Catholic Community.
She was an active participant in Church Women United of Fond du Lac County, and the Holy Family Bible Study group until shortly before her death. Mary Ann was an Associate of the Congregation of St. Agnes.
She is survived by seven of her children, including her five sons, Michael (Special friend Arlene Costello) of Oshkosh, John (Barbara) of Black Earth, Steve (Sandy) of Tallahassee Florida, Phil (Luann) of Montgomery Alabama, Joe of Fond du Lac, two daughters, Maggie (Steve) McCullough of Mt. Calvary, and Meidana (Rajiam) Pursifull of Portland, Oregon. Thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a brother-in-law, Gil Barrera, also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter Elizabeth, her brothers John and Francis Timm, sisters Isabel (Leo) Rieden, Rosalie (Lester) Fink, and Marguerite Urdahl Barrera. Grandsons Matt and Adam McCullough also preceded her in death.
Visitation: The family of Mary Ann will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, January 6, 2011 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at the Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac. There will also be visitation on Friday, January 7, at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, from 9:30 AM until 10:15 AM.
Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Holy Family Church, on Friday, January 7, at 10:30 AM. The Revs. Victor Capriolo and Luke Strand will preside. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Byron.
Memorials in her name may be directed to Holy Family Parish, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, 54937, or Hospice Hope, 430 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, 54935.
The family would like to thank Mary Ann's faithful friends, Rosemary Schorse and Mary Jane Esser, the staff at the Woodlands and the staff of Hospice Hope for their support and care of our mother.
