Dorothy Ann Bird

These are some words that describe the dichotomy of our Mom. I think we were all sort of in awe of her. She was kind of this beautiful force of nature that you rarely see - almost too good for this world. She was the second youngest, born to a large family of Irish descent that would have very little materially, but would possess the riches of being a tight-knit, loving, spiritual kin that were always there for each other.

Yes, our Mom was a natural athlete, but more than that she just loved to be amongst people, engaging, laughing and competing. Even in her final weeks when playing cards the competitive juices would start to flow - despite some serious health problems and numerous medications she was on - she just wanted to win. During that time our Dad's favourite pet name for her was 'Tieg', short for 'Tiger'. Before that of course, 'Bones' was Dad's preferred choice..she seemed to get skinnier after each child was born! My adopted nickname for Mom became simply 'Mi Mar'.

Growing up with Mom we'd often see her just giddy with the sheer enjoyment of competing. I remember when playing anything with her it was always a challenge...and lots of fun. She always told me if she had the resources, she would have become a High School Gym teacher.. and what a great one she would have been! Tennis, badminton, golf and especially bowling were some of the sports she excelled at, but it would have been her humanity that would leave an indelible mark on many of her students. 'Dot' was the nickname she was given when amongst friends and competitors. 'Dot' seemed to be our Mom's alter ego, away from home. That glint in her eye, that deft touch, and of course, the laugh after she'd make a great shot or win a point. We all remember that laugh...

It all seemed to be just instinct and her love to compete...and it was pure. Did she practice? no. Did she work out? no. Did she quit smoking? no. Did she have the time with 6 kids? no... Imagine if she did... . And she always seemed to come out on top. For instance, it would only be a surprise if she didn't win high average in bowling every year...even into her seventies. It would both baffle and exasperate opponents, but not teammates. Talking with a fellow bowler recently she gushed "You just wanted to be on her team; she was always so much fun...and we'd always win!" And then as she aged you'd sometimes forget that athletic prowess but then be shocked back to reality when she would whack a clutch base hit up the middle or snatch a line drive at our annual Thanksgiving baseball game.

Mom was always there for us when we needed her in life as well. She'd always be that first person you'd want to talk to. In Gordon Lightfoot's song she was that 'Rainy Day Person' that would 'listen till she heard it all..' Our Mom also became a kind of folk hero in our old neighbourhood in Weston. She had this aura around her that people were just drawn to. Our home was like a magnet for the neighbour's and their kids because Mom was so welcoming, upbeat and kind. And once in a while when a crisis arose on the street - like someone going into labour - she was again there to deliver...literally. During the last few months of her life I remember telling my son what a unique and special human being she was and that he may never meet anyone quite like his Nanny in this world...there just wasn't a 'soul she couldn't rise above'. Our Mom would literally drop everything for the opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. In her final days, they'd be the first thing she'd ask about when visiting her in hospital. I only wish she had more time with them...

I tried for the longest time to figure out what gave Mom that 'edge'..why she would always win. I think it came down to 2 words with our Mom: Faith and Fun. Faith of course was the 'X' factor. Let's face it, Catholicism and faith were staples in the Calow Clan. Growing up she'd never miss Sunday mass, and if you lived at home, you automatically attended Church, often just to be around Mom. She had the ability to make that experience fun as well - some of the best family debates came after Church in a coffee diner. A quiet faith in God and a faith and confidence in herself would always give her that steely focus with little or no ego involved. Now the 'Fun' part. She was always so loose and relaxed in the heat of battle because she was having so much fun. You have to know she'll be up there with all the Angels playing all the sports she loved; challenging and engaging with her family and friends and just in general, having the time of her afterlife.

I see that enjoyment of life and competitive zeal in many of her Grandkid's eyes today. Cherish it and pass it on.....because you know where it came from.

Love always. Your Son, Greg

A Grandchild's Essay discovered 2 months after her passing:

Dorothy Calow, my Nanny grew up in a family of six children. She was the youngest daughter with one younger brother.

Growing up she loved any games the boys were playing including baseball, tennis, tag, skipping, etc.

My nanny did really well in school. She advanced from grade 3 to grade 6!

She remembered one Christmas when her big family got together. Her older sister took the claw off of the turkey and went around the house pulling the tendon. This made it look like a hand snatching at you. She scared all of the younger children including my nanny who was one of the youngest.

As well as my Nanny being an amazing cook, at sports events she is an amazing fan. Every summer when I play baseball in the final tournaments, she is there in the stands chanting and ringing this cow bell. She is always the talk of the event and it brings my teams good luck having her there. She is a very energetic woman being only 5’3!

My Nanny believes the glass is half full. Life is too short to not live it to its fullest. She said that her greatest accomplishment was having children and raising them to be the best they can be.

Raising six kids was interesting but a challenge. My uncles and aunts know that she has the best aim in the world with a few broken mugs and wooden spoons along the way. She claims she didn’t kill anyone, they are all still living.

She is now retired but now has many grandchildren with more along the way probably. She still enjoys throwing a ball around as we always have a traditional baseball game up at our cottage during thanksgiving weekend. She swims, plays tennis, golf, bowling, and basically anything her grandchildren are interested in. She’s a “hands on” nanny which is why all of her grandchildren love seeing her almost every other weekend.

I see her as a selfless woman, always giving and wanting what’s best for everyone. She is very affirming and always looks on the bright side of things. She sees the best in everyone and makes them know it.

She has helped raise many kids over the years making her an affectionate mother and grandmother. Raising six kids as well as her husband at times.

When we go to her house now and when I was younger I remember going to Adam’s park which is in Scarborough where she lives now. She plays hide and go seek with us still and always treats us to her yummy oatmeal cookies or her delicious pies. My personal favorite being lemon meringue.

She is so full of life. Always making family get-togethers one of a kind and sticking close to her faith at the same time.

Linked to her faith she told me of a story of when she was 6. She was in a Christmas play and would sing as an angel. Well as she went on stage she got really excited. So excited that she peed on the floor right in front of the manger. Right after her sister came on as Mary and knelt right in it. My nanny claims that was her most embarrassing moment as was probably her sisters.

I would vote my nanny as a candidate of being saint-worthy. She makes my life worth living wanting to be more like her. She sticks with what she believes in and won’t let someone tell her otherwise. At almost being 70 years old you can still see her make that dive off the diving board, score a strike, catch her playing ball, and see her sing and dance like she once did when she was young. I feel so lucky to have her as a nanny and I enjoy everything about her. I hoped you learned a little bit about my Nanny and what makes her such an

amazing woman full of life seen through the eyes of one of her grandchildren. Thank you.

Caitlin Stewart, at 15 yrs old

* * * * * * * * * *

In her 81st year after a lengthy illness; beloved wife of Lorne Bird; selfless mother of Lorri (Richard), Greg (Connie), Arlene (Jim), Jenny (Kevin), Jeff (Louise), and Larry (Susan); devoted Nanny to Brandon (Candace), Sarah ( Adam), Brittni, Caitie, Alex, Maddie, Victoria, Callum, Ryan, Brooke, and Sienna. Dear sister of Berniece and Irene; predeceased by siblings Marie, Margaret, and Tom. Dear sister-in-law of Barbara Bird and predeceased by brother-in-law Bob Bird. Special aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was a skilled and avid bowler; she was a natural athlete who graced tennis courts and golf courses with her competitive fire. Dorothy lavished attention on her grandchildren and their pets. She will be fondly remembered for her laughter, neighbourly compassion, enjoyment of family celebrations, late night reading sessions, and her amazing butter tarts, lemon meringue pies, and oatmeal cookies. Dorothy was an enthusiastic employee of Eaton’s for over 15 years and starred on the lanes of Rouge Hill Bowl with “The Tuesday Ladies”. She maintained close ties with “The Girls in the Band” for parts of six decades, highlighted by euchre nights and luncheons. Visitation will be at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre "Scarborough", West Hill, ON.(one block west of Kingston Rd), (416) 281-6800, on Sunday, August ,17th 2014 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. Funeral service will be conducted at Giffen-Mack’s Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 18th , 2014 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Thornhill. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the Scarborough General Hospital Palliative Care Unit . The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Scarborough General Hospital Palliative Care Unit for their care, kindness, and compassion.

Greg's Speech at funeral service:

Spiritual, loving, kind, giving, smart and fun....Fearless, competitive, feisty, provocative, mischievous and cheeky.

These are some words that describe the dichotomy of our Mom.

I think we were all sort of in awe of her. She was kind of this beautiful force of nature that you rarely see - almost too good for this world.

Yes, our Mom was a natural athlete, but more than that she just loved to be amongst people, competing. Even in her final weeks when playing cards the competitive juices would start to flow - despite some serious health problems and numerous medications she was on - she just wanted to win. Our Dad's favourite pet name for her was 'Tieg', short for 'Tiger'.

Growing up with Mom we'd often see her just giddy with the sheer enjoyment of competing. I remember when playing anything with her it was always a challenge...and lots of fun.

Tennis, badminton, golf and especially bowling were some of the sports she excelled at. That glint in her eye and of course, that laugh after she'd make a great shot or win a point. We all remember that LAUGH !

It all seemed to be just instinct and her love to compete. Did she practice? no. Did she work out? no. Did she quit smoking? no. ...Imagine if she did...

And she always seemed to come out on top. For instance, it would only be a surprise if she didn't win high average in bowling every year...even into her seventies. It would both baffle and exasperate opponents, but not teammates. Talking with a fellow bowler recently she gushed "You just wanted to be on her team; she was always so much fun...and we'd always win!" And then as she aged you'd sometimes forget that athletic prowess but then be shocked back to reality when she would whack a clutch base hit up the middle or snatch a line drive at our annual Thanksgiving baseball game. The other thing is, our Mom was also always there for us when we needed her in life as well. To quote Mr. Lightfoot -'..she'd listen till she heard it all..'

I tried for the longest time to figure out why she would always win. I think it came down to 2 words with our Mom: Faith and Fun.

Faith of course was the 'X' factor. Let's face it, like all the Calow's she had the 'Big Guy' on her side all the time, Right?! A quiet faith in God and a faith and confidence in herself would always give her that steely focus with little or no ego involved. Now the 'Fun' part. She was always so loose and relaxed in the heat of battle because she was having so much fun.

You have to know she'll be up there with all the Angels playing all the sports she loved; challenging and engaging with her family and friends and just in general, having the time of her afterlife.

I see that enjoyment of life and competitive zeal in many of her Grandkid's eyes today. Cherish it and pass it on.....because you know where it came from.

Love, Greg