Maureen Bird

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Maureen Bird.

Born in Edmonton to Blanche and Sinclair Bernard, Maureen married the love of her life, Ernie, in 1974 before moving to Vernon, where Maureen worked at Canada West Ski Areas Association for 25 years.

She loved Christmas with her family and appie dinners. She loved camping, summers at the family cabin, sunset cruises on the lake, and relished a good story and a laugh around the campfire. She loved playing games with her grandkids, even when they beat her.

The hardest place to beat Maureen, however, was on the curling rink. She played competitively for as long as she was physically able, skipping her team to the master’s national championship and dedicating countless hours to Vernon’s junior curling program, where her children and grandchildren followed in her footsteps. She later took up knitting with the same passion, crafting beautiful knitwear and making fast friends with her knitting group. She didn’t relish the spotlight, but she readily made friends who will miss her generosity, throaty laugh, and warm hugs.

Above all else Maureen was a caregiver to and fierce protector of her family who she loved beyond measure. She was the conduit for family news, organizer of family gatherings and cooker of huge feasts.

Maureen didn’t like spicy food, but as a person she was as spicy as they come. She was sassy, loved sarcasm and a good joke and could swear with the best of them. She was equal parts stubborn and proud. She would say that was due to her Scottish roots. Unlike her Scottish roots, she was not especially frugal. She liked her nails done, her hair dark and her wine glass full. We loved her big as the sky.

After a long battle with heart failure, Maureen died in the Vernon Jubilee Hospital with her family by her side. She was a fighter to the end.

She is survived and will be deeply missed by her loving husband Ernie, her beloved border collie Duke, her children, Shelley, Denise, Corey and Trevor, their partners, Trevor, Paul, Simone, and Jennifer, her grandchildren, Morgan, Thomas, Nara, Ailee, Eula and Ursula, her brother Bill Bernard, nephew Chris and niece Kandace.

If there is an afterlife we wish her endless Christmases, a full glass of wine, curling games aplenty, a knitting group to laugh with, a strong heart and easy breaths.

All are invited to join the family for a gathering to celebrate Maureen’s life on May 27, 2023, from 230p-530p at the Vernon Curling Club: https://goo.gl/maps/89jHjWvJgEe6udso6

Arrangements have been made with Cypress Funeral & Cremation, Vernon, B.C.

All are invited to celebrate Maureen’s life on May 27, 2023, 230-530pm, at the Vernon Curling Club https://goo.gl/maps/89jHjWvJgEe6udso6

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Vernon Junior Curling in Maureen’s name through [email protected] or 250-542-6713.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: