Betty was born July 25, 1929 to John Vernon and Bess O'Brien Miller in Long Island, N.Y. She attended SS. Joachim & Anne School in Queens Village, in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Betty graduated from Pierre S. DuPont High School, Wilmington, DE in 1947. She studied merchandising and graduated from Maryland College for Women in Lutherville, MD, in 1951. She worked in the engineering department of the DuPont Company. On February 7, 1953 she married David Ralph Bird, a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Wilmington. The couple initially moved to Drexel Hill, PA where the first of their seven children was born. Following Ralph's naval career, they lived in Indianhead, Maryland, Guam, Jacksonville, North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Monterey, California, before settling in Pensacola, FL in 1965. Betty had a full and active life; family, friends, church, career, volunteer and hobbies. She began working for Gayfers Department Store in 1971. While working at Gayfers, among other activities she participated in the bowling league for many years. After retiring, Betty continued to stay busy. For a number of years, she volunteered each week at the Sacred Heart Hospital Guild Gift Shop and supported the USO. She also enjoyed playing bridge several days a week at the Pensacola Duplicate Bridge Center. Betty was a lifelong and devout Catholic and a long standing member of St. Paul Catholic Church. She loved being a grandmother and spending time with her 17 grandchildren. For many years, she and Ralph spent a week every summer at Pensacola Beach with their family. Ralph was a graduate of Auburn University. Betty's desires for domestic tranquility led her to being huge Auburn fan. No doubt she and Ralph will watch the championship game together next week! Despite being busy with her large family, Betty did enjoy and appreciate her relationships with her many friends, neighbors and co-workers over the years. She also loved animals, and treasured her little dog Poobah, dearly. Betty was preceded in death by her parents John and Bess Miller; and her husband, CDR David Ralph Bird Jr. Betty leaves behind to cherish her wonderful memory, her seven children, their spouses, as well as her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Martha and Mark Gardner (Chris, Michael, David) VADM John and Nonie Bird (Jack, Elizabeth), Martin and Teresa Bird (Ryan, Brittany), James and Theresa Bird (Ryan, Rachel), COL Michael Bird (Jeremiah, Daniel), David and Gina Bird (Jennifer Duke - Averie and Jake Duke, Jessica) and Jeffry and Kelly Bird (Maggie, William, George, Charles). Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 from 5-7pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 at 10am from St. Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Doug Halsema celebrant. Burial follows at Barrancas National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Betty's sons, John, Martin, James, Michael, David and Jeffry Bird. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 1700 Conway Dr. Pensacola, FL 32503. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.