Kay Bird
It is said that God takes the good ones first. On Thursday, March 10, 2022, He took Kay Bird, 66, thus adding a most rare and special flower to His garden.
Kay Irene Walz was born on Dec. 2, 1955, in Prairie du Chien, to John and Caroline (Duha) Walz. She was raised on the family farm and attended Seneca High School, graduating with the Class of 1974. She met her husband, Mark Bird, in junior high. They became good friends in high school, started dating after their five-year reunion, agreed not to get serious, and were married on June 7, 1980, in Prairie du Chien. They lived in Green Bay until 1993, when they moved to Albany, Ore., later resettling in Hillsboro. Kay was a loving and devoted mother to her eight children, and “Nana” was cherished by her grandchildren. God and family mattered most to her. Kay was a devout traditional Catholic, and taught others the goodness of God by her example. She had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and daily meditated upon the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of Our Lady. You should, too. At least, that’s what she’d tell you. Kay was exceptional in everything she did. Her flower garden was unparalleled; strangers would stop to ask her about it. She had an eye for beauty, both in nature and in home décor. She was also very principled and morally courageous; she was not afraid to instruct/correct others who needed guidance. She was strong, undaunted by sacrifice, and a fighter to the very end.
Kay is survived by her loving husband, Mark; and five children, Barbara Kramer of Eugene, Ore.; Sarah Mataisz (Kyle McLennan) of Veneta, Ore.; Anne Catherine Duyck (Adam Duyck) of Vernonia, Ore.; David Bird (Kaitlyn Torres) of Hillsboro, Ore.; Michael Bird of Hillsboro, Ore.; six siblings and 21 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three children, Mary Bird, Ronnie Bird and Lauren Bird, as well as her parents and three siblings.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary was said on Monday afternoon, March 14, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Vancouver, Wash. A funeral Mass followed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seneca, Rev. Thomas Huff officiating, with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, March 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, and at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the Mass.
