Judy (Monroe) Bird

Judy Ann (Monroe) Bird passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in Wickenburg on June 23, 2026. She was 83.

She was born March 29, 1943, to Harvey and Martina Monroe and was the third child and second daughter in the family.

Judy spent her early school years in Browning, Mont. After high school, she met the love of her life, the late Leo "Beaver" Bird. They were married June 3, 1966, and blended their family with children Leo (Oozzer), Shelley, Robin, Mark and Deedee.

Judy and Beaver raised their family while building a ranching and farming legacy in the Seville Flats area near Cut Bank, Mont. They embraced the cowboy way of life, and rodeo was a central part of their lives away from the ranch.

Judy became an active member of the Cursillo movement through the Catholic Church, serving reservation communities in Montana and Canada. Her work with the church remained an important part of her life for many years, and helping Blackfeet people become involved in the Cursillo movement was among her proudest accomplishments.

In 1995, Judy and Beaver discovered Wickenburg and quickly fell in love with the community. Along with their two daughters and granddaughter, Tesstina, they relocated to begin the next chapter of their lives. Judy worked in domestic services before later joining the staff at Double D Western Wear. Although part of her heart always remained in Montana, she cherished Wickenburg and its people until the end of her life, often telling her family how much the community meant to her.

Judy found her greatest joy in being a mother and grandmother. She welcomed anyone in need into her home, rarely missed a sporting event, graduation or family celebration, and always kept her door open. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by family and friends.

She leaves behind a legacy of beauty, grace, laughter and kindness. She taught many people how to cook, clean, plant flowers and, most importantly, how to love. Her spunky spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Martina Monroe; her brother, Whirley Monroe; her sister, Helen Monroe Davis; her grandson, Jayson Douglas "JD" Bird; and her husband, Leo "Beaver" Bird.

She is survived by her children, Deedee (Brad) Smith, Shelley (Mike) Taylor, Leo (Emmie) Bird, Mark Bird and Robin (Frid) England; grandchildren Tesstina (Eddie) Dickinson, Dillon Smith, Dedra Smith, Anna (Tim) Howe, Jesse Bird, Michael Beers, Leo John Bird, Chanel Bird and Josh Bird; great-grandchildren Braden Dickinson, Calden Dickinson, Raegen Dickinson, Alex Dickinson, Benji Howe, Jace Augare and Wind Augare; great-great-grandchild Kayzen Augare; cousins Doris Hills and Dave Tyndall; and many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Wickenburg Elks Lodge No. 2160. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Judy's life and legacy.

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