Patty (Pat) Jane Bird, 88, of Bellefonte, was called home by the Lord on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Harmony Memory Care in State College. Born on August 9, 1936, in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of the late Burton and Kathryn (Carson) Fetterolf. On March 26, 1955, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Pleasant Gap, she married her beloved husband, Robert L. Bird, who survives at home after sharing nearly 70 years of marriage together.
Pat was a 1954 graduate of State College High School. She dedicated most of her life to taking care of her home and raising her children. After her children were grown, she worked as a receptionist for the Centre Daily Times, and as a makeup consultant at Hess’s and Bon-Ton department stores.
In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by their children, Vickie Taylor (Terry), Kim Bird-Millward (Ron), both of Port Matilda, and Penny Ward (Jeff) of Sarver; 11 grandchildren: John Taylor (Jess) of Tyrone, Josh Taylor of Port Matilda, Catherine Truax (Donovan) of Port Matilda, Hunter Millward of State College, McKenzie Holderman (Jake) of Bellefonte, Ty Millward of Ithaca, NY, Trey Millward of Lewisburg, Jamie McKenzie (Gregg) of Wheeling, WV, Joshua Ward of Pittsburgh, Grace Ward (Jared) of Geneva, NY, and Maggie Ward of Baltimore, MD, and five great grandchildren: Hudson Ward, Capri McKenzie, Eleanor Taylor, Jack Taylor, and Charlie Taylor.
Along with her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Charles “Chuck” Robert Bird, on August 3, 1992. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Hazel and Russell Fetterolf, Gerald Fetterolf, Dick Fetterolf, Stanley Fetterolf, Winnie Yarnell, Lena Yarnell, Marian Sampsell, Faye Stine, and Lynn Fetterolf. She was the last of her generation.
Pat was a lifetime member and volunteer of the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Pleasant Gap. She was an active member of the Pleasant Gap Women’s Club, serving as the President and Vice President for many years. She was also a volunteer at the Pleasant Gap Rotary. She enjoyed the Centre County Grange Fair, which she attended every year for 85 years. She also loved gardening and took great pride in always having beautiful flowers and creating a warm and welcoming home to share with her family and friends. She was a beautiful soul with a heart bigger than herself. More than anything, her family and friends brought her the greatest joy in life.
Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 PM, at the funeral home, with Pastor Laura Waltermire officiating. Burial services will directly follow at Centre Memorial Park in State College.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pat’s memory to the St. Mark Lutheran Church, 160 N. Main Street, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823, or to Grane Hospice Care, 115 Union Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.