Jean Marie Bir, age 62, of New Market, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Frederick Health Hospital.
Born September 3, 1960 in Washington DC, she was the daughter of the late Stelman and Margaret “Peggy†Keating Blizard. She was the loving wife of Michael “Mike†S. Bir. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 9.
Jean received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland and her Master’s degree from Hood College, both in Special Education. She was employed as a special education teacher in Rockville for 40 years, working at Ivymount School for 25 years and The Frost School for the past 15 years.
She was a very active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church of Libertytown, where she served as an usher and helped selling gift cards. She was known as “Lady Jean†with Knights of Columbus at St. Peter’s and gave her heart and soul to their Box of Joy program. She would spend all year purchasing supplies to fill these boxes that would be sent to children in developing countries at Christmas. She was also a sponsor for David who lives in Guatemala.
Jean prevailed through two cancer diagnosis, surviving breast and colon cancer. She was a devoted mother, supporting her sons through their soccer years. She was a musician, playing the piano, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and flute. Jean and Mike enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Disney. She loved all animals and will be missed by her dog Kip, and cat Pumpkin.
In addition to her husband, Jean is survived by her sons, Andrew Bir and girlfriend Abby, and Adam Bir and fiancé Rachel; siblings, Teresa (Bruce) Poyner, Robert (Ellen) Blizard, Stephen Blizard and David Blizard; and cherished niece and nephews, Christal (Mark), Reid, Robert Jr. (Meghan) and Ian; and great-nieces, Samantha, Alexandra, Mackenzie, Savannah and Charlotte.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Joe Blizard and Mary Blizard.
A visitation will be held at Hartzler Funeral Home-Libertytown, 11802 Liberty Rd., Frederick on Monday, July 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7:45 p.m. A visitation will also be held from 10 – 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Libertytown, 9190 Church St., Union Bridge. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Peter’s at 11 a.m. Father Chuck Wible will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to benefit Jean’s Box of Joy Program at https://gofund.me/37d8b041 |