May 11, 1931 (Winnipeg) – February 8, 2023 (Calgary)
Birdie was a sunny spirit with an infectious smile and a “can do”, positive attitude. She brightened every room she walked into and lit up the many communities in which she lived and served. She passed away gently on the morning of Feb 8, 2023. Birdie is lovingly remembered by her sons Doug (Cheryl) and Glenn (Andrea), daughter Judy (Jacob); grandchildren Ian (Miranda), Jana (Julian) and Stephanie; and 5 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Frank (2019), and granddaughter Kaylee (Matt) in 2021 .
Birdie’s passion and joy was people and throughout her life, she was a committed volunteer and organiser. If she chose to be part of a community or organisation, she would be heavily engaged and involved. She would be all in. Birdie had a knack for getting people involved and feeling happy to do it.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Birdie served in the peacetime Air Force from 1951-54 and was posted to Calgary where she met Frank, her husband of 65 years. In her 40’s, Birdie studied to become a Recreation Therapist. Her salaried work included Executive Director of the Golden Age Club and recruiting and training volunteers for the Volunteer Centre. She also offered her sparkling personality and her very capable skills through the generosity of her volunteer work. In 1987, she was honoured with the Louise Dean Award as Calgary’s Volunteer of the Year In 1990, Birdie received the Canada Volunteer Award certificate of merit Birdie loved her 25 years as a volunteer with the Children’s Hospital teddy bear program. She held a variety of roles in many organisations, including leadership roles, ranging from the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Canadian Mental Health Association, Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI), Handicapped and Elderly Transportation Committee, Cerebral Palsy Association, and the 1988 Calgary Olympics to name just a few.
Birdie and Frank were members of Woodcliff United Church where they enjoyed and served their church community for over 65 years. Birdie held just about every volunteer role possible including organising and teaching Sunday School and CGIT, program director for Kasota summer camp, serving on committees such as the Minister and Personnel committee, fundraising, serving at funerals, and running the powerpoint or greeting on Sunday mornings. She did it all capably, cheerfully and with a big smile. Birdie and Frank also led backpacking trips for youth in the church when their own kids were young teens.
After Frank retired, Birdie and Frank enjoyed leading bus and RV tours throughout Mexico and the US, including Alaska. Birdie loved the pre-trip research, the guiding and making everything fun while Frank took care of booking and arrangements. They were always a great team. They also enjoyed salmon fishing at Campbell River every summer. When in Calgary, Birdie continued with her many volunteer activities.
In her later years, when Frank was living in the Colonel Belcher with dementia, Birdie, went nearly every day to support Frank. Never one to stop giving, she also volunteered at the Belcher portering residents, serving coffee, or whatever she could do to help! After Frank’s passing, Birdie, proactive as always, took the initiative to choose and move to Cambridge Manor seniors residence where she was actively involved and made many new friends among residents and staff with her great energy and positive attitude.
It is said that the happiest people are those who have found some way to meaningfully give back, and that was certainly true of Birdie. Her passion for people, and her joy, shone through her entire life. Her beautiful spirit, her generous heart, and her radiant smile will be dearly missed.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff and communities of Cambridge Manor and Dulcina Hospice where Birdie spent her final years and days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Woodcliff United Church (5010 Spruce Drive SW, Calgary) on Saturday, March 4, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Birdie’s memory to the charity of your choice, and/or volunteer!
Arrangements entrusted to
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of “Birdie” Bertha Louise (Nee Branan) Archer, please visit our flower store.
Birdie was a sunny spirit with an infectious smile and a “can do”, positive attitude. She brightened every room she walked into and lit up the many communities in which she lived and served. She passed away gently on the morning of Feb 8, 2023. Birdie is lovingly remembered by her sons Doug (Cheryl) and Glenn (Andrea), daughter Judy (Jacob); grandchildren Ian (Miranda), Jana (Julian) and Stephanie; and 5 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Frank (2019), and granddaughter Kaylee (Matt) in 2021 .
Birdie’s passion and joy was people and throughout her life, she was a committed volunteer and organiser. If she chose to be part of a community or organisation, she would be heavily engaged and involved. She would be all in. Birdie had a knack for getting people involved and feeling happy to do it.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Birdie served in the peacetime Air Force from 1951-54 and was posted to Calgary where she met Frank, her husband of 65 years. In her 40’s, Birdie studied to become a Recreation Therapist. Her salaried work included Executive Director of the Golden Age Club and recruiting and training volunteers for the Volunteer Centre. She also offered her sparkling personality and her very capable skills through the generosity of her volunteer work. In 1987, she was honoured with the Louise Dean Award as Calgary’s Volunteer of the Year In 1990, Birdie received the Canada Volunteer Award certificate of merit Birdie loved her 25 years as a volunteer with the Children’s Hospital teddy bear program. She held a variety of roles in many organisations, including leadership roles, ranging from the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Canadian Mental Health Association, Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI), Handicapped and Elderly Transportation Committee, Cerebral Palsy Association, and the 1988 Calgary Olympics to name just a few.
Birdie and Frank were members of Woodcliff United Church where they enjoyed and served their church community for over 65 years. Birdie held just about every volunteer role possible including organising and teaching Sunday School and CGIT, program director for Kasota summer camp, serving on committees such as the Minister and Personnel committee, fundraising, serving at funerals, and running the powerpoint or greeting on Sunday mornings. She did it all capably, cheerfully and with a big smile. Birdie and Frank also led backpacking trips for youth in the church when their own kids were young teens.
After Frank retired, Birdie and Frank enjoyed leading bus and RV tours throughout Mexico and the US, including Alaska. Birdie loved the pre-trip research, the guiding and making everything fun while Frank took care of booking and arrangements. They were always a great team. They also enjoyed salmon fishing at Campbell River every summer. When in Calgary, Birdie continued with her many volunteer activities.
In her later years, when Frank was living in the Colonel Belcher with dementia, Birdie, went nearly every day to support Frank. Never one to stop giving, she also volunteered at the Belcher portering residents, serving coffee, or whatever she could do to help! After Frank’s passing, Birdie, proactive as always, took the initiative to choose and move to Cambridge Manor seniors residence where she was actively involved and made many new friends among residents and staff with her great energy and positive attitude.
It is said that the happiest people are those who have found some way to meaningfully give back, and that was certainly true of Birdie. Her passion for people, and her joy, shone through her entire life. Her beautiful spirit, her generous heart, and her radiant smile will be dearly missed.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff and communities of Cambridge Manor and Dulcina Hospice where Birdie spent her final years and days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Woodcliff United Church (5010 Spruce Drive SW, Calgary) on Saturday, March 4, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Birdie’s memory to the charity of your choice, and/or volunteer!
Arrangements entrusted to
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of “Birdie” Bertha Louise (Nee Branan) Archer, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 20
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors