Mrs. Monica Lynn Bird

Monica passed away at home with family after a courageous battle with cancer. Monica was born in Germany into a Royal Canadian Air Force family that eventually settled in Winnipeg where Monica finished school, worked and attended university. She wanted to be a teacher and loved to work with children. While attending the University of Winnipeg, Monica nannied for a military family and it was this family that arranged a blind date between Monica and Jeff at one of the grandest Mardi Gras parties ever. It was meant to be, they had found their soulmates. They were posted from Winnipeg to Kingston for one year and then to Fredericton. Monica finished her education degree at the University of New Brunswick. They were then posted to Edmonton where Monica completed her Alberta teaching certificate and taught French at Guthrie School at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. Monica and Jeff were married In High River in 2009 and were then posted back to Winnipeg where they started their wonderful family. Four kids later and moving on from military life, they moved back to Southern Alberta in 2016 and built their forever home on the family farm in 2017-18 where they welcomed the fifth and final addition to their beautiful family in 2019. Monica raised her family with a wicked sense of humour, music and dancing, a lot of colour-coded lists, and amazing cooking, especially kids’ birthday cakes! Monica treasured the fact that she could be at home to raise their kids and as they aged she was excited about the opportunity to teach again. Monica was diagnosed with cancer in late 2021 and had to postpone her plans to return to teaching so that she could focus on battling this disease. She was determined not to let cancer rule their lives and last year she was healthy enough to substitute teach for several months and loved every minute of it. Monica loved to travel and her and Jeff were lucky enough to travel the world over the years. During Monica’s battle with cancer she fought hard to stay healthy enough to continue traveling and their family was able to enjoy many camping trips, a trip to Mexico, a 15th wedding anniversary in Tahiti and Bora Bora, a family bucket list kayaking adventure in Johnstone Strait, and a trip to Belize. Monica and Jeff also traveled to Japan and Spain to search out hopeful cancer treatments and clinical trials. Monica is survived by her husband Jeffry and her wonderful children Samantha, Zachary, Andrew, Julianna and William; by her parents Janet and Walton Williams, sisters Melissa and Stephanie (Sean) and their families of Winnipeg; and Joanne and Michael Bird, Matthew (Suzanne) and Jennifer and their families; and by the many nieces and nephews that call her Auntie Mo. Monica fought her battle with strength and grace. We are grateful for the love and support she received along her journey and none more important than the professional care, compassion and humour provided by the wonderful team at the High River Cancer Clinic. Thank you. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, at St. James Parish, 338060 - 32nd St. East, Okotoks at 10:00AM. A private family interment will follow at the Gladys Union Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed via Monica’s Tribute Page at www.lylereeves.com . In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Monica’s name to the Cancer Clinic Fund or the Maternity Fund of the High River District Health Care Foundation. To send condolences and view Monica’s Tribute Page please visit www.lylereeves.com . Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242.

Tributes

Mrs. Monica Lynn Bird

September 30, 1981 - August 8, 2025