On the morning of Jan 14, 2022, Flo passed away from an aortic aneurysm. How she died, however, is not important. What’s important is how she lived and loved during her brief 74 years on earth. She appreciated and loved the people in her life, always sharing her spirit, her styling, energy, and cooking wonderfulness while wearing a beautiful smile.
Our 14 year old grandson, Cael, shared “It’s all gonna be ok. Lola will always be loved and remembered.” While our 11 year old grandson, Finn, wrote: “You are the best Lola ever. And a great cook and a great person and you have the best hugs and the best smile.” Total truism from our grandboys!
During 2020, Flo wrote the “Florence Bird Family Recipe Book” for Cael & Finn that includes many of her specially prepared Filipino dishes written as though she was standing with you. Flo included a section labeled “Who Is Lola”. The following quotes / summaries are Flo’s own words that beautifully describe her love of cooking and life; her legacy:
• I was born in St Luke’s Hospital located in Manila. My Mom (your great Apo, Aquilina) always said I was expensive because I was born in a hospital.
• I don’t use measurements in most of my Filipino recipes because I learned by helping and watching my Apo & my Mom. I did a lot of prepping, I think I was 8 at the time.
• By now you’re probably wondering . . hmm . . who is Lola & where did she come from? An alien from far, far away. Am I Asian, Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish descent or an Islander? Aha, I’m “halo-halo” (mix-mix) blended Scottish, Irish and Filipino, just like you.
• We’re not corn flakes just crunchy, especially summer time, when our skin gets browner. Cool right? Poppy says I’m his cocoa puff – such fun.
• Lola’s likes: “Food & music of all kinds, cooking, reading, traveling with Poppy in our van. Plane rides to the Hawaiian Island especially when you came with us.”
Flo was born in Manila in 1948 moving to the province of Pampanga about 1957 to the barrio of Capas, Tarlac:
• Breakfast before school consisted of rice and poured carabao milk, freshly squeezed directly from the carabao, and tuyo (dried fish), and sometimes “pindang”. I watched how my Apo would clean frogs, butcher pigs and clean chickens.
• Beetles – To get beetles we shook them off a big tree that had sour leaves because that was their food source; very clean bugs. I’ve also tried grasshoppers – not much flavor just crunchy
Flo immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 to establish her U.S. citizenship through her Dad’s Kellogg family history from Virginia City, Montana, 1860s:
• I flew with Pan American Airways from Manila to San Francisco with a layover in Hawaii – no wonder I love Hawaii.
• Long flight at the time. It’s also when I decided I want to be a stewardess, so I can travel for free.
• I was very very shy and was so afraid to speak because of my thick accent and I looked different from all the other girls in school.
Flo graduated in 1965 from St Paul’s High School. As a young adult, she took night classes in cooking, driving, swimming at the YMCA, and Spanish, always learning:
• I worked simply because I wanted to have enough in my savings so I could go places.
• I worked as a Secretary for the administrator at Jersey City Hospital, for less than 2 years. I did not like the winter. I cried my first winter because it was soooo COLD. I went home & stayed with my parents in Daly City.
• In 1971, I became a stewardess with Trans International Airlines. It was a charter airline so we flew all over the world - Greece, Vietnam, Amsterdam, Philippines, Japan, but the best part was ferrying my first flight to Hawaii – such fun.
• It was a great 2 years because in between all that I met the LOVE OF MY LIFE – Poppy.
• We got married March 8, 1975. My Mom made sure I knew how to cook, she said she did not want “embarrassment” to Poppy. All that watching and prepping came in handy.
• In 1976, Poppy and I had our “Angel” Adam. Then we were blessed with your Tita Alina and your Dad.
• BUT the best part of all are the two of you, CAEL and FINN. Do your best, be adventurous and enjoy COOKING, trying new food. Be strong and sensible.
The Flo Bird family traveled, explored and lived around the world working for Bank of America International Division – Panama, Philippines (twice), London, Miami, Hong Kong, & San Francisco (thrice) complimented by many independent side trips. Flo managed Alina’s and Aaron’s education, growth and journey to adulthood. She easily made lasting friendships throughout her travels and still found time for volunteer work, jazzercise, line dancing, dining in both fine and in the alley restaurants, scuba diving and entertaining family and friends. During the past 20 years, we also traveled in our Sprinter Van throughout the country, including Alaska, plus Canada and Baja California. Flo never missed an opportunity to visit and barter at a local market place regardless of its location or spoken language. She even made time to follow and cheer for her two favorite sports figures: Marc-Andre Fleury and Tom Brady!
Flo lived and practiced I Corinthians 13 scripture, shared at our wedding:
• LOVE is patient and kind; love is not jealous, or conceited, or proud, or provoked; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is pleased with truth. Love never gives up; its faith, hope and patience never fail.
We were married almost 47 years and together for 50+ years. Her successful relationships, in a large part, were based on our scripture and the spirit of our “Three Monkeys” representing LOVE (sociability); TRUST (affectionate and loving); and HONOR (problem solving). Flo was ‘the best, better than all the rest’, and will be terribly missed by all who came in contact with her.
Recently, in discussing our life together, we agreed to avoid Memorial Services, allowing our family and friends from around the world to determine their own ways to celebrate her life. As she wanted, we hope to scatter her ashes over her favorite place, Maui, ideally with the majestic Humpback whales migrating to Alaska, her second favorite place.
Flo had charities she supported during her lifetime, including the following links, should you choose to contribute something in Flo’s name:
• American Heart Association (https:///www.heart.org): a foundation we’ve supported since the passing of our son, Adam.
• Wounded Warrior Project (https://woundedwarriorproject.org): we’ve always supported and cared about our men and women Veterans, especially honoring Flo’s Dad, a WWII veteran.
• The Animal Foundation Las Vegas (https://animalfoundation.com): Flo’s beloved Yorkie, Kona, was rescued in 2016 and provides much tail wagging love and companionship. The Foundation’s goal of zero euthanasia of all healthy and treatable animals was achieved in 2020.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Bird family.
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