Our sweet mother, Paula Lee Fairbanks Bird, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2020 after her struggle with cancer. She was born to Harold and Norma Redd Fairbanks on August 7, 1948 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the oldest of their five children. Her family emigrated to the United States after she graduated from high school. While her parents settled in Saugus, California, Paula bravely headed off to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah on her own. She met Terry Donald Bird and they were married for 12 years. They had five children together. Paula raised her children in Ventura, California with the support of a loving network of family and friends in the Ventura Stake and community.
Paula was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As an accomplished and gifted pianist and organist, she gave her exquisite talent, time, and boundless energy throughout her entire life to the music of not only the LDS church in Ventura, California and Santa Clarita, but also the United Methodist Church of Ventura, California for decades. Over the years, Paula instilled the love of music to hundreds of piano students. She not only wanted to give them all something to be proud of in themselves, but more than that, music was something that her students could share and give to the world. Her inspiring piano lessons were uniquely infused with life lessons. Paula loved her piano students and their families so much and they loved her in return. She was always reading a book, learning more about human nature, and making connections with people. She loved cooking and baking, putting a puzzle together, participating in politics, traveling, drawing, and creating, shopping, and had an eye for fashion that was incomparable. She loved endlessly, saw the best in everyone, and gave all of the people that she came in contact with a sense of belonging and value. She was utterly Christ-like in her actions and eagerness to serve others. She never passed up a good deal and often kept a cold, bean burrito in her purse-for emergencies! Her no nonsense attitude, zest for life, resilience, integrity, and unconditional love will never be forgotten or matched. As a Mother, she sacrificed everything, and her children were her highest priority. She taught them to love deeply, work hard, and be grateful always. Her children love her more than anything.
Paula is survived by four outstanding siblings: Stephen Fairbanks (Toni), Nena La Bass (Bob), Roger Fairbanks (Suzie), and John Fairbanks (Connie). She is also survived by her five devoted and adoring children: Jodi Kinslow (Stephen), Dallin Bird (Vilma), Jason Bird, Ruth Bird-Nulph (William), and Trisha Jacobs Edmund (Spencer). Her 16 beautiful grandchildren: Taylor, Grant (Dani), Haley, Parker, and Elle Kinslow, Liany (Carson) and Carter Bird, Bentley Bird and Kodie Scott, Haylie, Xavier, and Eleanora Nulph, and Macy, Boston, Bauer, and Charly Jacobs also survive her. They are the luckiest children in the world to have had the most attentive, loving, and nurturing Grandma.
She is preceded in death by wonderful parents, Harold Junior and Norma Redd Fairbanks and by her former spouse, Terry Donald Bird.
Services to celebrate Paula Bird’s life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center on 4517 Mille Lacs Drive in South Jordan, Utah. The viewing will take place prior to the funeral, from 11:30am-12:30pm. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the funeral will be by invitation only and will begin at 1:00pm. A graveside service will be held at 3:30pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. in Sandy, Utah, also by invitation only. After the graveside service, a private family luncheon will be held at 11038 S. Braidwood Dr. in South Jordan, Utah.
The family would love to see everyone dressed in happy, vibrant colors because we know that our Mother would have wanted it exactly that way! We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support that our family has felt at this time.
I never got to meet Paula but I know that her daughter Trisha is one of the sweetest people ever. Trisha, I’m sending you and your family lots of love and prayers, I know your hearts must be hurting so much right now. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman and I’m sure you made her very proud.
Jodi, Dallin, Jason, Ruth, and Trisha,
I just want you all to know how sorry I was hear about your mom's passing. I can't imagine how your hearts must ache. However, I hope it brings comfort to you to know that she is in a beautiful place where she is free from pain and suffering. I'm sure you'll all see and feel signs of her helping you from the other side. Her service was very touching to watch as you and your kids celebrated her life. Please know that you are in my prayers.
So sorry to lose such a unique and talented friend. Paula, you will be sorely missed.
To all of Paula's family. We love you and are sad that you had to say goodbye to your momma, grandmother and sister too soon. We know she will be missed! I love my sweet cousin. She was always very kind to me. We pray for you to feel the comforting arms of our Savior around you until you can see her again. We love you all!
Our condolences to the Bird family . She will be missed by so many of us who were influenced by her passion, discipline, and love. She taught all four of our kids to play the piano many lessons beyond just music like hard work, speaking and presenting in public, math, and other life lessons. I'm sure she is "doing and not stewing" in Heaven.
Love,
The Hanamaikais
We offer our deepest sympathy for your loss. Paula was one of the friendly faces who greeted us when we emigrated to Canada. It was so great to find her again in California. She left a beautiful legacy. We hope that the void in your hearts may be filled with wonderful memories.
I loved walking into the chapel and listening to her play the organ, she was so talented and I will treasure my memories of her beautiful music. She definitely magnified her calling and shared her talent. Love to the family.
Paula,
Im so so sad that I did not keep in touch with u after I moved to San Diego. Shame on me :(
U were a great friend and I miss u. I know u will be deeply missed by your children and many friends. You were always a pleasure to sit and talk with, always so warm and genuine and so very wise.
I also appreciate what an incredibly talented and patient piano teacher u were to my daughters Kelly and Megan. I look forward to seeing & spending more time laughing with you in eternity together. Until then ....
A big hug & much love
Angie
Paula was an amazing blessing to our ward. Beside her incredible musical talent, Paula had a quietly giving soul. When my mom unexpectedly passed away, Paula brought honey and English muffins to my home for May family to eat the morning of the funeral. That was so thoughtful, and appreciated.
When we found her house flooding that Christmas morning a few years ago, we were so concerned for Paula’s well-being. When the firemen broke in and found out she wasn’t there, we were so relieved! Paula tool all that in stride. Having a flooded home did not break her spirit.
My family is very sorry for the loss of Paula from this world, but we know with certainty that she is accompanying the angels above in songs of joyous celebration!
💕Thinking of you and your family. I loved hearing stories about your mom from you, Ruth and Trish. She is an inspiration to many on how she lived each day by putting others before herself. She is your foundation and her character qualities radiate off of her family 💕
May the Lord bless and keep you during this brief span of time that you are living apart from each other. Aunt Theodora and her family have so many fond memories of spending time with your family. Paula was a spunky child, an adventurous teenager and a kind, generous and talented adult. She was an exceptional daughter of God. We will miss her until we meet again. All our love. Hugs and prayers coming your way.
Mrs.Bird has been an integral part of our family imparting her love for music to our three children for the last 11 years. We will miss her.
May her sweet soul rest in peace and may God comfort her family.
Paula, was always willing to share her talent at playing the piano for our Singles 31+ group.
I will always remember Paula playing the piano before church starting and loved walking into church during the week and hearing someone playing and finding it was Paula practicing.
I will also remember the time the Singles rented a van and drove to conference and Paula hitched a ride so she could spend time with her family.
Paula will be missed dearly.
Theone Paras
I absolutely loved Paula and her ability to make me smile the moment I walked into Dr. Jones dental office. I was always terrified (still am) of the dental "drill" but Paula always made me feel so comfortable by the way she greeted me and always let me know that I'd be "in and out quickly!". Walking into church and hearing her beautiful prelude music is a fond childhood memory of mine! Beautiful woman! Beautiful spirit! Love the entire Bird family!!!
~ Til me meet again ~
Jaime Oshita
Sending all our love and prayers to the entire Bird family. Miss Paula taught my daughters how to immerse themselves in a world of art. Their love of music and discipline of piano molded them into who they are today. Miss Paula demonstrated life lessons, about character, about living a life of grace, love, and generosity. She was the most generous. Generous with her knowledge, generous with her time, and with her spirit. She played the organ at my own mother’s funeral, a beautiful moment I hold onto. She is no doubt someone who left many people with memories cherish forever.
Your talented mother will be sorely missed by the ward and stake...she added so much to any meeting she played the organ or piano for. She was a perfectionist at her skill, of playing the organ or piano. Many young people benefited from her skills as a teacher of piano. Our son Colby was a benefactor of her knowledge and skills. He in turn has blessed many lives with his ability to play the piano and organ on his mission, school, and wards. The Wilsons send our love to the family and pray the Lord will send you comfort and peace during this time. Love The Spencer Wilson Family
This woman here was my piano teacher. My parents paid her to give my sister and i lessons from the ages of approx 10-13? I can’t quite remember. Either way, I actually did not like the lessons at the time. She was strict. However, as time went on, once I reached high school (after I had stopped lessons for a few years) I went back to playing piano to help find solace during difficult times and found that it’s the only place I can spend hours at and not realize where time goes. My gift has brought me peace and comfort and has touched my heart in a way nothing else can/will. It’s something I’ll never let go of and something I will never get tired of. This woman taught me to read music, to hear notes with my ears, to understand tunes and counts, and countless other skills associated with being a musician. These skills have also proven to help me in many other atmospheres, and it has been my own form of therapy. I’m certainly not perfect or at the musical stage I want to be at, but without my years with Paula, I wouldn’t have the ability to sit down and do my absolute favorite thing in the world. Rest In Peace, and thank-you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself (at the time). ❤️ 🎹
Paula will be greatly missed. She blessed my son as a fledgling organist and selflessly helped him as he learned a new skill. She had a way of seeing potential in others and encouraging them. I was blessed by her support when learning to improve my skill as a music teacher to children. She made an impact even though our acquaintance was brief.