Josephine Nancy BIRD

JOSEPHINE NANCY BIRD MDCM, FRCP Josephine Nancy Bird (nee Merie) of Toronto died peacefully at home, on March 25, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family after a short struggle which she faced with grace and dignity. Jo was born August 4, 1928, grew up in Saskatchewan and Montreal, earned a BSc in Biochemistry, and was one of only a few women in her 1953 medical school class at McGill University. She went on to a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where she met fellow physician Bruce Bird, the love of her life. The two were married in 1957, marking the beginning of a magnificent 60 years of devotion, love, and companionship. Jo took six years off practising medicine to raise her family, then returned to internal medicine and research in lipid studies. She ended her career with a decade in private practice in Toronto in the same field. Jo lived life to the fullest and excelled at all she did. She particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was an adoring wife, mother and grandmother, a caring and dedicated physician, and an avid reader, golfer, cook, and bridge player. Bruce and Jo enjoyed traveling around the world and spending time with their many friends in Toronto and Naples, Florida. She is survived and will be profoundly missed by her loving family: husband, Bruce; daughters, Kathy Cuneo (Bill), Linda (Nelson), Gwen (Ann), and Nancy (Keith); as well as beloved grandchildren, Bruce, Clare, Hanna, Kendry, Langston, and Amy. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders.