Birdie Dean Stevens passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 27, 2017.
Her parents chose the perfect name for her because she was beautiful, happy and tiny. However, her small size belied her inner strength. She always told her children nobody could hurt them because “you can’t hurt steel”. She was most proud of her large family and will be greatly missed.
She was raised in Seaside, California and loved walking to Lover’s Point as a child with her younger sisters. She was extremely intelligent and could have chosen a college degree, but decided to become a mother instead and never looked back. She was the most fun mother ever and never knew an empty house. Not only did she raise her five children, she also raised her two grandsons, Zack and Cody.
She was the first woman to run for Board of Supervisors in San Benito County back when women weren’t into politics. It was a close race and although she didn’t win, it taught her daughter’s how strong women could be. She was the president of the PTA and Boosters club and a Girl Scout Leader and was involved in all her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She rode a motorcycle for many years and loved going to Yosemite and Big Sur to camp. She loved sports, especially the SF Giants, 49ers and Warriors. She was employed by the Hollister Freelance and Western Farms.
She is survived by her wonderful husband of 53 years, Ken Stevens and her five children, Teri (Steve), Cindi (Jon), Guy, Keith (Laura) and Phil (Cindy). She is also survived by her two sisters Diane Robinson and Maxeen Reynolds as well as seventeen grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several cousins and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents Dean and Phyllis Gruenwald. She knew how much her family loved her and we had a family reunion in her honor that was filmed by her grandson Conner.
There was a celebration of her life on November 11, 2017 that was attended by many family and friends and we danced and sang as was her wish.
She will be be forever cherished, loved and missed.
