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Nora (Mac Adam) Jones posted a condolence
Monday, February 14, 2022
I just heard about the passing of Mrs. Bird and I wanted to let you, her family, know that she made a huge difference in my life! She taught me German at Sydney Academy for three years and she took some of us on a trip to Austria during Grade 11. It was my first European excursion but certainly not my last! And this girl from small town Nova Scotia then went on to do a major in German (language and literature) at University, followed by a Master's degree and a list of other professional designations.
More than just the language and travel, she was the first woman whom I came to know who was staunchly independent and had a clear view of what she wanted in life. She contributed to me developing some of those attributes myself although I never had to face the challenges in life that she did.
I remember that she did not smile often as a teacher but, when she did, I would feel such sincerity and warmth - much more than a hundred smiles from others could generate!
Thank you. I am so sorry for your loss. But something tells me that she would think that mourning was a waste of time so "just get on with it"!
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Rose Courage posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
To the Family of Valerie Bird:
Although I never had the good fortune to know Valerie or meet her personally, I knew her as a driving force as part of the Friends of Green Cove group to which I belonged. She was always so well spoken and wrote so many wonderful articles in support of Green Cove. Whenever she would send me an email to compliment me on something that I had written in the Cape Breton Post, I felt like a million dollars because her opinion meant a lot to me. The story of her life is an amazing one, and I regret that I didn't know her personally - I would have loved to sit and listen to her. My sincere condolences to you in your great loss. Rose Courage, Sydney
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Anne Weaver posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Dear Glynis, I was so very sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I have great memories of delightful get-togethers with good conversations and delicious food. She was always interesting and forthright in her opinions. She and your Dad both were proof positive that one needs not to be born in a country to be truly a citizen of it. She has left you and your extended family with a wonderful legacy of a life well-lived. Cherish the memories. Hugs, Anne Weaver.
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Seaborn posted a condolence
Monday, February 7, 2022
Dear Rod, Glynis and all your lovely family. We are so sorry to hear about Valerie, and so touched to read about her amazing life story, and everything that she achieved in her very long and fulfilling life.
Lots of Love & Many Hugs,
Jennie & Jeremy Seaborn. xxxx
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Claudette MacDonald posted a condolence
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Sincere condolences to Frau Bird’s family. Memories of German class in grades 10 through 12 are cherished ones. A first taste of Black Forest cake, at a dinner party held at her home, set the standard for the cake. It has yet to be equaled. She was a delight and an inspiration. Danke schön, Frau Bird. Claudette (Chiasson) MacDonald, Class of 1977
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Jonathan More posted a condolence
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Rod, Glynis and families,
I was saddened to hear of Valerie's passing but happy to remember her and her spark and fierce sense of forthright clarity. In these dark days of equivocation and disrespect, we desperately need more like her. May her memory live on and encourage the compassionate moral imperative in us all.
Love, Jonathan More
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Bob & Jean Skinner posted a condolence
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Dear Rod, Glynis and families. We knew your Mom when she lived in Sydney. Bob worked with your Dad at Sydney Steel.
Valerie was a very pleasant person and always made you feel so welcome.
May you find comfort in all the beautiful memories you shared with her.
Our Sincere Sympathy,
Bob & Jean Skinner
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Brenda Sheppard posted a condolence
Saturday, February 5, 2022
I remember Mrs. Bird’s German class very well, fun and intense. I have often thought of her many kindnesses to me, her big heart and, last but not least, that incredible Dobos Torte.
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Peter Campbell posted a condolence
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Rod, Joanne and Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but after reading her story I realize what a remarkable person she was. A true example of the Greatest Generation.
Peter Campbell
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Andrew Lynk posted a condolence
Saturday, February 5, 2022
To Rod and Sally and your families, our sincerest condolences. Valerie was an incredible force of goodness that we all appreciated, and will miss. Andrew and Kerry Lynk.
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Dorothy Mitton posted a condolence
Saturday, February 5, 2022
I was so sorry to hear of Valerie's death but she did live a long and very active life. I first met her when we moved to Sydney over fifty years ago.I enjoyed her friendship and we worked on various projects together such as the IODE and "Friends of the Symphony. After we moved back to Halifax we kept in touch for quite a while. My sincere condolences go to Rod & Glynis and the rest of her family.
Dorothy Mitton
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Liz More posted a condolence
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Rod, Glynis and families - I’m terribly saddened to hear about Valerie. I adored her humour, her kindness, candour and great wit. As a youngster it was such a treat being with “Mrs Bird” and was relieved when, in my late 40’s, she finally said “please Lizzie, call me Valerie” !
We are all so thankful that Valerie was a treasured part of our lives, for so many years in Sydney.
Such a dear soul. Peace and love to you all,
Liz More
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Stewart Cameron posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Rod, Glynis, and the rest of the family. As students of Mrs. Bird at Sydney Academy, we realized early on that she was a remarkable woman. Despite her lack of formal teaching credentials, she was one of the most memorable educators we had encountered. Her ability to control a classroom of teenagers, while instilling the finer points of German, was exceptional. For those of us who had educational responsibilities in our own professional lives, we likely modelled ourselves after her natural teaching skills. It was a privilege for some of us to be able to visit her when she moved to Halifax, and to see that the spark of vitality was still very much present. The fuller story of her life, as outlined in this touching eulogy, continues to provide inspiration.
Alex Bickerton
Stewart Cameron
Ray Cooke
David Macpherson
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Greg Coleman posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Sending Condolences to the Bird Family , I always enjoyed talking with your Mom
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Carol Lee Miller posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
So sorry to learn that Valerie has passed. She was a feisty lady with a big heart and a wonderful laugh. Every chat with her made you more aware of the world around you and left you feeling better about it and yourself. My late husband, Bert, took a
lot of his gardening advice from Valerie and the results were always good! She made Cape Breton a better and more caring place. My deepest sympathy to all of the family.
Carol Miller
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Angela MacPhee posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
I'm so saddened to hear of Mr.s. Birds passing. She certainly is/was a one of a kind woman. I have thought of her often over the last few years, as she was a joy to see whenever we met. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
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Patsy Gillis posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Dear Rod and Family,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Mum. Our prayers are with you.
Gord & Patsy
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Bette Isherwood Linden posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
I am honoured to say she was one of my high school french teachers. I remember her exuberance and kindness in class, even though I was a terrible french student. My condolences to her family.
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Ann posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Dear Glynis, Rod and Family,
So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Mrs. Bird will forever be a joyful memory from my childhood. I remember being in awe of her strong voice and passionate caring for everyone around her. The Bird household was a required visit anytime we were in Sydney to visit her beloved friends and my grandparents, Bob and Nancy More. No doubt Grandpa would have had something concise and eloquent to say about the loss of Valerie. And I know Gran sends her love to you all, especially her best friend who she adored.
- Ann Marie (Baranowski) Roberts
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Isabelle Tanner lit a candle
Friday, February 4, 2022
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My condolences to Valerie's family. From what I could gather from Valerie, she had a good, long and purposeful life for which she was grateful; I would like to imagine she was content to go and in her usual way, got on with the business of passing like she got on with the business of living - with intent and in her own time. I met Valerie only a few years ago, but immensely enjoyed my visits with her and listening to her stories and opinions on events of the day. I am grateful that I got to meet her while she was with us on this earthly plane. It's very interesting...at the time of her passing I was thinking about her, without being aware that she likely had just passed; perhaps her spirit was saying goodbye to us all at that moment and some of us got the message subliminally. RIP, dear Valerie.
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Theresa Nardocchio posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
It was both a Pleasure and an Honour to have spent time with Valerie.
She was a lovely person, whose humour and feisty spirit were delightful..
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Gwen Morrison posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
RIP, Frau Vogel. You were one of the strongest, caring, inspiring women I have ever known. It was a true privilege to have been one of your students.
Sincere condolences to the family.
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Julia Townsend posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Dear Sally, Adam and families,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear Grandmother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman with an incredible story who made every moment of life count. What a wonderful legacy! Our condolences and prayers at this sad time.
Allan and Julia Townsend
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Ted Goodyear posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Rod...although I did not have the pleasure of knowing your mother, in knowing her son, I can understand the immensity of the loss you are experiencing. My condolences....Ted Goodyear
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Deborah Denny posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Sincere sympathy to the Bird family.
Fond memories are wonderful things. Mrs. Bird was my German teacher at Sydney Academy, 1970-72. She is the only teacher that pleasantly stands out in my high school education. Her teaching skills gave me ‘a voice’ while visiting my sister in 1971, who was living in Germany at the time. I was able to communicate in a new friendship during a six week visit.
Your own fond memories will keep her close to you every day.
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Maxine Clarke posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Glynis, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I remember the stories you shared with me about your parents and their remarkable relationship. Thinking about you in this difficult time and revisiting the wonderful support you gave me when my Mom passed away 34 years ago. My condolences to you and your family. Fondly, Maxine Clarke
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John & Heather Calder posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Sorry for your loss Adam and Lindsay and family. Take care, John and Heather Calder
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Garth Nathanson posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Dear Rod and family. Condolences from Glennis and myself on the passing of your mother. Take care.
Garth and Glennis Nathanson
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Andrew Ross uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 4, 2022
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Theresa and Kevin Campbell posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Rod and family
So sorry for your family's great loss.
Theresa and Kevin Campbell
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Nancy MacLeod lit a candle
Friday, February 4, 2022
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Joanne and Dr. Bird. Sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family. Beautiful tribute in the write up of an interesting life.
Nancy MacLeod
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Cheryl and Terry French posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
Glynis and families
We are so saddened to hear of your mom passing, it has been many years since we her and Alan in PEI on vacation. She was a truly remarkable lady, they were such a unique and wonderful couple who were quite simply nice people! Recalling the many happy memories of the past help and comfort you all at this time.
May she have eternal rest and may preputial light shine upon her.
God bless and keep you all safe
Cheryl and Terry French
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Rosalie Starzomski (Vancouver, BC) posted a condolence
Friday, February 4, 2022
My condolences to the Bird Family,
I had the pleasure of being a student of Mrs. Bird when she taught German at Sydney Academy. She helped us develop a German Club in the early 1970’s and fund raise for a marvellous trip to Germany and Austria. She took us to her favourite places and filled our heads with wonderful stories and made sure we had exciting adventures! It was a life changing trip for many of us - showing us the beauty and diversity of communities we had only heard about. She was a great teacher and instrumental in helping students find their voices and learn to be change agents. Her obituary is beautifully written and chronicles a life well lived.
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The family of Valerie Bird uploaded a photo
Thursday, February 3, 2022
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