Our beautiful mother joined our father in the Hereafter on March 8, 2019 after a stroke. Carolyn Marie arrived into the world on November 2, 1936 to Charles and Ruth Moody, spending her life in her beloved Montana. She met the love of her life in Missoula at a dance in college. A few years later she married Philip Bird on June 12, 1958. They loved each other fiercely for nearly 54 years until Dad’s passing in 2013.
After teaching elementary school for several years, she left her profession to raise her kids. Phil and Carolyn moved from Great Falls to Helena in 1970, soon making lifelong friends. Mom baked for the folks at the local retirement home, cooked endless hot dogs and hamburgers for neighborhood parties in our back yard, and made sure our shoes were polished every Saturday night for church on Sunday.
Mom took up running in her late thirties, competing in her first marathon at age 42. She ran like a beast, with Dad manning the sag wagon for her and her running friends. She competed for many years and across several states. Her fastest time – at age 50 – was 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Carolyn eventually went back to teaching as a substitute for nearly 30 years. She loved being in the classroom, often relating funny stories about the kids. She was beloved in that community. In addition to teaching for the Helena school district, she also taught Sunday school for several years at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
She baked the best bread, had a wicked sense of humor and a quick smile, and her gardens exploded with beautiful flowers that she largely grew herself from seed. She made her last snow angel a month ago and had a penchant for festive headwear. She made any gathering livelier simply by joining it. Her spotless house gave her both joy and much teasing from friends and family.
Mom built many friendships over the years; both she and Dad were social butterflies. They frequently hosted a party or a friend for a cup of coffee. As their daughters, we learned young how to hold a conversation with virtually anybody.
Moving to Billings in 2015 to be closer to family, Carolyn applied her lifelong social skills to be the ad hoc director of events at her assisted living center. She was famous for creating special “days”, i.e. “Angel Day”, so that they always had something to celebrate.
She is survived by her brothers Leonard (Shirley) Moody, and Charles (Doris) Moody; daughters Gretchen (Tim) Stenson, Amy (Steven) Kiffe, and Cara (Bruce) Walcheck; and grandchildren, Megan (Mick), Melissa (Kirk), Nathan, Tyler, Kate, Rachael and Elise. The family would like to thank her friends at Lasting Legacy in Billings for giving her a beautiful place to live out her final years. And deep thanks to special friend Aggie Hamilton for loving Mom until the end. We miss her dearly.
A service celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Social Hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 23, 2019
Social Hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Shawna Donaldson says
My kids went through grade school with Mrs. Bird as their favorite substitute. She was a lovely woman. May God hold you in His hands and your memories of her bring smiles and joy to you!
Paul and Naomi Miller says
Carolyn was an inspiration. Our good friend will be missed. We wish her family peace.
John & Cherie Dahl says
Carolyn and Phil were friends from our “Cursillo” days. Prayers to the family 🙏🙏🙏
William Coddington says
Dear Carolyn, the sweetest most patient woman ever. She will be missed greatly to so many people. Carolyn worked with us for several years and we were part of her running community. Such a dear lady. Rest in unending peace.
Bill & Judy Coddington
Doris copenhaver says
Perhaps you will organize a group called Heaven Humpers, and I’m sure you will be the fastest competitor… That is until I get there of course. Memories and love. Doris
Norma Tirrell says
I have such fond memories of Saturday morning runs with Carolyn and the rest of the gang. She and Phil were the glue that kept us together all those years, through all those races and made it so much fun. Such lovely, caring people. Love to you girls….
Dana Copenhaver-Ellsworth says
I have so many fond memories of Carolyn, too many to list. I was always met at the front door with a smile and a hug. I was then ushered to the meeting place, the kitchen for lots of laughs and a hot piece of homemade buttered bread. Run with the wind sweet Carolyn. Much love to the entire family at this most difficult time.
Keith Allen says
So sorry for your loss…..
Kirsten Copenhaver says
Carolyn was a wonderful mother and friend – with a commitment to family and friends, a penchant for cleanliness and a knack for having just the right snack for me (loved the donuts) when I would visit. Your quick wit, sense of humor and contagious laugh is forever etched in my memory. Rest…or Run in peace, Carolyn – your choice!
Ann Seifert says
I think of Phil and Carolyn and the Hill Humper days often. The get-togethers at the Birds’ house were so warm and comfortable; Carolyn knew how to make everyone feel at ease. And her running was simply inspirational. I am grateful for the memories.
Aggie Hamilton says
Carolyn was such a dear friend. She was a teacher at heart and loved her students. Each day on our run she would tell me funny stories about the students, always in such a kind, loving way. She welcomed me into the Helena Hill Humper running group with open arms and proceeded to teach me the right way to success as a runner. I treasured our times together, the parties were such fun. Her home was lovely, welcoming and extended to a beautifully landscaped yard with well tended flower beds. She loved have her hands in the soil, tending her flowers, as she tended everything.
Marla and Paul says
Gretchen I am sorry that we are not able to come say goodbye to your sweet momma in person, she raised a beautiful family who now has broken hearts… I know that Carolyn is now home dancing with Jesus.
Marci & Steve Lynn says
Gretchen, Amy, Cara and families, please accept our condolences for the loss of your lovely mother. It was always wonderful to see Carolyn & Phil at our big band gigs when they lived in Helena. They were so much fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Claire Cantrell says
I just came across Carolyn’s obituary, almost a year later. So sorry I missed her service. Carolyn loved you girls so much and was an inspiration to me both as a runner and then as a new mom. Both she and Phil knew how how to support , encourage and welcome those of us who were younger and inexperienced. When I moved away in 1987 I missed both of them dearly and have never been able to fill the gap they left in my life. We were all lucky to have them in our lives. With such fond memories, Claire Csntrell