Mary Ann Bird of Hopkinton, Ma: Formerly of Wilbraham, MA, Plantation, FL and Foxboro, MA., age 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at The South Shore Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 23, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to Henry and Evelyn (Worle) Voltmann. She was a 1946 graduate of Midwood High School. She married her beloved life long partner, Willis A. Bird on March 8, 1947. They celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to his death in 2009.

She was an accomplished and widely published free-lance writer, was formerly a reporter for The Patriot Ledger, and also wrote a weekly human interest column “A Bird’s Eye View” for the Foxboro Reporter for many years. She was formerly the secretary to the Chief of Police in Foxboro, and was the first civilian dispatcher in the department. She was a devout Christian, and she and her husband taught a weekly Bible study. She had also been involved in many volunteer opportunities.

She is survived by her children, Robert Bird and his wife Dawn of Bellingham, Kathleen Blais of Weymouth, Patti Bird of Blue Bell, PA., and Terry Bird and his wife Patti of High Springs, FL. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Blais of Weymouth, and Katie Bird of Lakeworth, FL., and her great-grandchildren Jamison McMillan and Reese Barra. She is preceded in death by her husband Willis A. Bird, and her sister, Mother Teresa of The Carmelite Monastery in N.J.

Family and friends are invited to a graveside service on Saturday, May 12th at 10:30 am at The Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton, Ma. Arrangements by Chesmore Funeral Home in Hopkinton. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com Donations in her memory may be made to The Vineyard Church, 84 South Street, Hopkinton, Ma. 01748.