Cristy Lopez-Bird

Maria Cristina “Cristy” Lopez Bird was granted angel wings on November 13, 2015. Her final moments were spent embraced by her mother, father, brother, sister, and in the company of her aunts, uncle, and a few close friends. Cristy is survived by her mother, Kathleen Bird and husband, Mike Bruckert of Palm Coast, FL; her father, Antonio Lopez and wife Emma Manich-Lopez of Miami, FL; brother, Antonio Luis Lopez; sister, Kathleen “Bibi” Lopez; paternal grandparents, Antonio and Estella Lopez of San Juan, PR; aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Cristy is preceded in death by her younger sister, Sarah Elisa Lopez; maternal grandparents, Esteban D. Bird and Marjorie Callaghan. Cristy was born on August 31, 1990 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She graduated from University of North Florida in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Studies and American Sign Language Interpretation. Cristy was an accomplished sign language interpreter and volunteered often. She was an inspiring young woman who loved to travel and was passionate about helping others. She thrived on new experiences and challenges. Cristy influenced countless people in her short life. Her illness was a challenge yet one of which that did not hinder her will to live an adventurous and compassionate life. She loved her family and cherished her friends. Her presence was a gift and a blessing to all of those who knew her and of those who knew of her. We will miss her and she will remain forever in our hearts. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 19th at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, FL from 5:00-7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 20th, at Nativity Catholic Church, 3255 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood, FL at 12noon. The burial will follow at Oaklawn Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Cristy’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://www.cff.org/