Obituary of Linda D. Bird

On May 18, 2011, Linda Bird answered the distant call that led her freely into the loving arms of the Lord. Linda was the eldest child of retired Air Force Lt Colonel Stanley and Mary Bird, born on October 15, 1948. She was a graduate of Clinton High School. For most of her career, Linda was employed by the State of New York at Central New York Psychiatric Center. She retired after more than 30 years of service. Linda was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Stan and Mary. Linda is survived by her loving sisters and their husbands, Cynthia and Robert Acee of Sauquoit; Lisa and Frank Jacobs of Clinton; and her only brother, Joseph Bird of Clinton. She also leaves her cherished niece and nephew, Lesley and Matthew Acee. In addition, Linda is survived by several cousins, including Michael and Michelle Ptak. Also mourning her passing are her dearest friends: Marci Laflin, Jay Eddy, Kathy Trembley, Stephanie Anna, Ryan Farmer, Kevin Silcox, and her "sister of the heart," Brigitte M. Garrison. Linda was a kind, generous, loving, and gentle soul whose greatest joys in life were her family, her friends, and her animals. She was fiercely loyal, accepting of others, and stalwart in her support of any goal a family member or friend wanted to achieve, and when that goal was attained, no one was more happy or proud than Linda. She lived her life fearlessly and without regret because "you can't unring the bell." She was delighted by the simplest things.a good book, having a drink on the back porch with a friend; fresh tomatoes from the garden; or interpreting life through a Bob Dylan lyric. Linda had a keen intellect and a phenomenal memory for everything she read. Linda's greatest interests were the Civil War, anything to do with the military, and fashion. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills, NY, at 10:30am on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus-St. Casimir Cemetery. There will be no public calling hours. Plans for interment are entrusted to Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society of Oneida County, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY 13502 or the Clark Mills American Legion Post #26, PO Box 244, Clark Mills, NY 13321.