Joy Faye Bird

BIRD, Joy Faye, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on October 1, 2025, at the age of 94. She was born in Roxana, KY, the daughter of the late Dennis Boggs and Vina Ison.

She is survived by her loving sons Edward D. (Betty Padrone) Bird, Stephen G. (Rosemary) Bird, Thomas W. (Suzanne) Bird and the Bird Family bonus son Henry (Mary) Astudillo. Beloved grandmother of Edward Jr. (Leah) Bird, Kelly (Jeremy) Andrasik, Erin Bird, Kasey (John) Ecker, Stephen L. (Heidi) Bird, Daniel W. (Lisa) Bird, Holly (John) Hough, Angela (William) Stratford, Sarah Baker, and David Whitaker, plus bonus grandchildren Nathalie (Tyler) Johnson, Stephani (Nathan) Sorrell, Daniel (Emma) Astudillo. Darling great grandmother of Carly, Woody, Benjamin, Ava, Daniel Jr., Lucy, Miriam, and Naomi, plus bonus great-grandchildren Sofia, Luciana, and Santi, Sam. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law Eileen Bird (nee Wagner) along with many other family members and friends.

Joy is preceded in death by her dear husband of 62 years Edward William Bird, and her siblings Edna (Otis) Caudill, and Kirby (Poochie) Caudill.

Born at the height of the Great Depression, and descended from the pioneers of Kentucky, Joy Faye Boggs Bird was raised in Letcher County in a large and loving family, with whom she maintained close ties until the end of her life. Joy moved to Cincinnati, Ohio as a young woman, worked at Baldwin Piano as an executive secretary, and met and in 1955 married the love of her life, Edward Bird. They raised three sons, Ed, Steve, and Tom, in the west side of Cincinnati, in a home filled with love and clear expectations. In 1974, while Ed and Steve were attending Elder High School, Henry Astudillo entered their home as an exchange student, and became another son, eventually immigrating to the United States with his own young family to become a part of the Bird clan.

Joy was a devoted member of St. Antoninus Parish for many years, where she enjoyed participating in many parish activities and had a wide range of friends. She was steadfast in her faith.

Gifted with curiosity, intelligence, and determination, Joy was widely traveled. She possessed a love of adventure that never left her and was eager to explore new places and activities. When the limits to her mobility increased along with age, even an outing for ice cream became a joyous adventure.

Joy loved her garden, and she loved to cook. Her home was the center of family life for 4 generations and was notable for the love that embraced all guests. She looked upon everyone she met as a potential friend, and she was generous with her love. When all the members of her own generation passed away, she willingly took on the role of family matriarch to a large number of children, grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

As her physical abilities declined, her circle of friends expanded to those who came into her home to help care for her, and later to her assisted living community at The Wellington at North Bend Crossing when she was no longer able to live in her own home. Her welcoming and generous spirit touched all whom she met.

Although she dealt with the loss of her dear husband Ed after 62 years of marriage and faced prolonged suffering in the last years of life, Joy never lost her capacity to spread joy wherever she went. She always remained true to her name. She remained ever faithful to her God, her family, and her many friends.

Visitation at St. Antoninus Church, 1500 Linneman Rd, on TUESDAY, October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Burial to follow at St. Joseph New Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be may to St. Antoninus School Annual Fund by mail at 3442 Lumardo Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45238-2019 or online at https://osvhub.com/church-of-saint-antoninus/giving/funds/saint-antoninus-school-annual-fund.

B.J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home serving the family. Condolences may be sent at www.bjmeyer.com.