Violet Marie Bird

Violet Bird passed away on March 1, 2026, at the age of 94. Born on October 4, 1931, to Hattie and Floyd Steiner, she grew up as an only child in a Victorian farmhouse near Bucyrus, Ohio. Shaped by the Depression and her industrious parents, Violet developed a lifelong commitment to hard work, frugality, and attention to detail. She cherished the peaceful farm life, finding joy in her mother’s flower garden, reading, playing with dolls, and helping around the home. Throughout her life, she lived by the Golden Rule, offering generosity, encouragement, and a deep faith in God.

Violet excelled in 4-H, serving as its president, and as a young woman won a national interior home design competition. She redecorated part of her childhood home with a creatively designed desk and sewing area, an achievement featured in Better Homes and Gardens that earned her a college scholarship. After graduating from Holmes Liberty High School in a class of 14 students with whom she remained close for life, she studied art at Ohio State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and Art, taught home economics in McComb, Ohio, and later received a Master’s degree in Art from Iowa State University. A lifelong learner, she remained an avid reader and devoted student of history, art, and current events.

While pursuing her Master’s degree, Violet met and married Harvey Bird. Their marriage, which began with a precisely timed 56-second proposal, lasted 50 joyful years. Together they shared a love of learning, travel, and family. They visited countries including Spain, Venezuela, and Turkey, and camped in all 50 states with their daughters, Colleen and Suzanne. Violet often recalled these family camping trips as her most cherished memories. The couple also built and lived for many years in a log cabin in the mountains of Montana.

Violet continued to create art throughout her life, holding shows in both Montana and Ohio. She particularly loved painting landscapes and flowers in watercolor, favoring vivid shades of pink, purple, and blue. She often reflected that “beauty” described her life and sought to make every place more lovely through flowers, decoration, and artwork. Her generous heart, selflessness, gentle spirit, and ability to see the best in others left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She faced life’s challenges without complaint and approached every endeavor with a positive attitude and pure heart.

Violet is survived by her daughter Colleen Messina, ten grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Harvey, her daughter Suzanne (Bird) Blank, and son-in-law Perry Messina.