Diana Lois Bird

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Our dear Diana has been released from the cares and challenges of this world. She has been taken home to have a joyful reunion with her loved ones.

Born on 8 October 1946 in Shelley, Idaho, Diana Lois Bird is the daughter of Robert Freeman and LaRell Thurman Bird. Her early years were spent in Mapleton, Utah and Van Nuys, California. Later, she also lived in Citrus Heights, California and Springville, Utah.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Diana had a simple and childlike faith. On 6 November 1954, at the age of eight, she was the first child baptized in the newly built San Fernando Stake Center in Van Nuys, California.

She loved all of God’s creations. Her heart was very tender toward animals, and she loved the beauties of nature and of the earth. Diana loved to learn new things. She especially enjoyed word find books. She also enjoyed reading and watching classic 1960 and 1970 television shows.

Her happy and cheerful disposition endeared Diana to those who cared for her. Although she was confined to a wheelchair for the last five years of her life, she found joy in simple things. Her favorite color was purple. She adored all things Snoopy and had quite a collection of Snoopy plush animals, clothing, coloring books, blankets, sheets, etc.

Family was important to Diana, and she provided significant service to them. She lived with Nana Bird in Mapleton, Utah for two years after the death of Grandpa Bird, which allowed Nana to stay in her home until her death. Also, Diana found great joy assisting her sister Pamela with the care of her infant twin nephews, Josef and Benjamin Becker, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Diana was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother Brian, and brother Michael. She is survived by two sisters, Kathleen Bird and Pamela Becker (Tim), sister-in-law, Merry Hildebrand Bird (Brian), nieces and nephews Elizabeth Burgess, Rachel Webb, Nathan Bird, Vanessa Dixon, Emily Crawley, Matthew Bird, Josef Becker, Benjamin Becker, many cousins, and grand nieces and nephews.

For the past ten years, Diana resided in care centers. The family especially would like to thank the staff of Meadow Brook Rehab & Nursing in Salt Lake City for the devoted care she received for the past six years. They also thank Brio Hospice and Canyon Hospice for much appreciated care.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, 3 September 2021 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. in the Spanish Fork 9th Ward chapel located at 928 South Del Monte Road (corner of 900 South and 880 West) in Spanish Fork. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Relief Society room. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.