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CYNTHIA LYNNE BIRD
Born: Oct 30, 1963
Date of Passing: Apr 09, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryCYNTHIA LYNNE BIRD October 30, 1963 - April 9, 2014 In the early morning hours of April 9, 2014, after a short illness, Cynthia Lynne Bird passed from this life. She was surrounded by loving family and friends. Her sister Atik Bird and her partner Richard Meadows were her constant companions and made sure that she never wanted for anything or felt alone. Her sister Sharon was also able to be with her over these last few weeks, lending her strength and comfort. A testament to her loveliness was how many friends and family travelled from all over to be with her in her final months. Cynthia was born on October 30, 1963 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the youngest daughter of Elizabeth Young Bird and Percy Bird. She grew up in Winnipeg where her son Christopher Reimer was born. Later, she moved to Toronto where her sons Braewyn and Elijah Bird were born. Cynthia loved her boys with all that she had. Through them the some of the best parts of her will remain among us. Cynthia lived and worked in Toronto where she helped many people and touched their lives in ways they will never forget. Her great reserves of compassion and openness to life's lessons were inspiring. Ultimately, she enrolled at the University of Toronto where she was enjoying great academic success before her time there was cut short. Her areas of study were close to her heart, Aboriginal people and women's experiences. She loved reading and thinking, and her time at the University of Toronto was a source of joy and pride to her. Perhaps it was all the sweeter for getting to share it with her sister Atik. Cynthia was predeceased by her mother Elizabeth and her father Percy who were there to welcome her home. Cynthia leaves behind her three beautiful sons Christopher, Braewyn and Elijah. Her loving partner Richard and his daughter Emmi will miss her terribly. Also mourning her loss are her sisters Sharon, Marilyn, Atik, and her brother Percy Jr. Cynthia was a part of a large, extended family full of aunts and uncles and cousins who loved her very much. While we are all diminished by our loss of this gentle, beautiful soul we are also enriched for having known and loved her. A memorial honouring Cynthia was held in Toronto on Friday, April 11, at 5:00 p.m. at the Native Centre. Mother Earth happier for having felt Cynthia's feet upon her.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 12, 2014
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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I love you and think about you everyday my beautiful sister. I am reaching our goal of academics that we promised each other. With you beside me, the path is clear and easy. Love you forever. - Posted by: Atik Bird (sister) on: Mar 17, 2023
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We were married such a short time. I loved you as best I could at that time. We knew each other many years before we were married through our complimentary work in the First Nation community of Toronto and the social services field. It was with much grief that I discovered your passing so late. I never the less feel your loss in my heart and soul. Bamapii ( I hope we will meet again ) - Posted by: Thomas Francois (Ex husband) on: Jan 11, 2016
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So many years have passed. I met you at Rio Valle. You added so much to so many people's lives. Fair thee well my friend. Sorry we lost touch. - Posted by: Mark Goff (Friend) on: Nov 29, 2014
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I miss my beautiful sister everyday. She would say things to me in a way that no one else would get away with. We would txt most mornings + nights. Sometimes we would say lets phone so I can hear your voice. She was my closest friend.....she was elegance and grace. She comes to often in my dreams, she and our dad. I love you Cyn. I hope you are one who will meet me when I return to our home fires. - Posted by: Marilyn (sister,friend) on: Aug 24, 2014
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Wow. Its so awesome to read these passages, tributes, remembrances and savour the sweetness and beauty that was her. I missed the facebook..She didnt- she faced so much down; and stood her ground. Hers is such a big lovely sweet beautiful hard story. I honour her. Or try to. This smile, as one friend said, her fearlessness. And there was much fear she faced... with courage. She used to play this song for me called ' mine for me'- by you guessed it - Rod the Bod. Its a beautiful song and she'd play it and shimmie, yes that beautiful willowy woman would shimmie down the hall in her pajamas, laughing that beautiful hooting laugh and I would smile in wonder and in my delight.. We embraced each other in our sweetness and in our frailty. She gave much love. She was an igniter.. The other day we planted two cedars from her cousins place- for her in the ravine where we made our plans. We made fires and we put her on the water that glittering blue sun path, comforting and beckoning. We hold her like those moments bathed in the medicine, the drum. Your feathers in your hand as you walked into that Water those few short months ago. I love you Honey, you are with me and with Emi, with all of us- in our hearts. - Posted by: richard (partner) on: Aug 12, 2014
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Last night I went to see Rod Stewart in concert, while i was there I promised I wouldn't cry in thinking of you, while listening to his music, when he bent over to run his fingers through his hair it reminded me of you and your Rod Stewart Hair when you were only 14, I think of you often Cyn I will always keep you in my heart, love you xx - Posted by: Linda (Friend) on: Aug 09, 2014
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I had the pleasure of meeting Cynthia in February - where we shared a hospital room for a week. She was such a lovely person- gentle, kind & always checking to see if I was okay. Sending my love & thoughts to Richard & her family xx - Posted by: Samantha Lee (Friend) on: Jul 14, 2014
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I grew up with Cynthia in Winnipeg, she was my best friend, we went to Junior High together, she took me to my first concert we went to see Supertramp, together we did many things, I was always in awe of her beauty, I loved her dearly, she had such a beautiful smile to match her wonderful heart, I will always Love you Cyn xx - Posted by: Linda (friend) on: May 03, 2014
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Her commitment to Native peoples was never ending. My condolences go to all of her family and loved ones. Dimitri 16Suns in Alabama - Posted by: Dimitri 16suns (Old Friend) on: Apr 30, 2014
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A light has gone out in the world now that Cynthia has gone. I first met her when our sons were in JK together at Humewood School in Toronto and she impressed me with her grace, intellect, and beauty. I am still reeling from the news that she has passed. I know that her spirit will live on. Heartfelt sympathies to her family. Jan Elizabeth Seixas - Posted by: Jana Seixas (acquaintance ) on: Apr 17, 2014
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Cynthia was my very first friend at the University of Toronto; we met in the Academic Bridging program, and through studying together and challenging the curriculum, we became close friends. Even when we hadn't seen each other for a while, she was always there for me. Cynthia was one of the gentlest, kindest, most brilliant people I've had the pleasure of knowing. I wish her family clarity and guidance, and I hope that memories of her smile offer them comfort in this time. - Posted by: Dara Njeri (Friend) on: Apr 17, 2014
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Cynthia Bird, my beloved friend, I shall love you and I will miss you forever and always....It is a bright and beautiful sunny day today....I hope you can see it....Since you came into my life ten years ago, I have never stopped thinking about how important you became to me, and how your presence in my life saved my life, honestly and sincerely. For me, the greatest experience of living in Toronto for the last eleven years was knowing you for ten of them. Rest in peace and power and love, and I am confident I will see you again in the Spirit World. - Posted by: Kirk Beaver (Friend) on: Apr 14, 2014
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Cynthia was an aunt to my daughter Michelle who she loved very much. She will be remembered for her generosity and kindness. We will miss her gentle spirit and her beautiful smile. See you later dear one... - Posted by: suzanne bird (friend) on: Apr 13, 2014