Sally Sheridan Bird

1930 - 2014

Sally Sheridan Bird

Our mother, Sally Sheridan Bird, was born in Oakland, California to Harold and Virginia Taylor. She lost her 11-month-old brother (Barclay) in 1937, and found comfort in her grandmother, Sarah Burnett. Sally vowed to raise her own children with the acceptance, love, and respect that she craved growing up. She achieved this dream, creating a family of six happy, successful daughters.

Sally graduated from Oakland High and excelled at her studies at UC Berkeley, where she majored in journalism. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Tall and slender, our mother worked as a fashion model (runway) for Livingston's and other high-end department stores.

In 1950, she married Thad Sheridan and traveled with him as he went through officer's training. Our father served in Korea with the 11th Airborne, and then worked his way up the corporate ladder at Mobil Oil, which required multiple moves for the family. Thad and Sally were married for 25 years. In 1981, Sally married John Bird (Fly), an airline pilot and professional chef. They had 20 fine years together.

Sally adored old movies, great bargains, chocolate, and the sun. She also loved her career, working for various non-profit organizations including the Bi-Bett Corporation and the Volunteer Bureau of Walnut Creek. Sharp, stylish, funny, and always interested in what others had to say, Sally demonstrated wonderful people skills and an instinct for organization.

A caring grandmother to 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Mom recently experienced a special moment of happiness when her twin daughters, her twin granddaughters, and her twin great-grandchildren all gathered together for a picnic. Three sets of identical twin girls in one family!

A celebration of Sally's life will be held in Walnut Creek.

We love you, Mom.