Violet Marie Bird

It is with great sadness that the family of Violet Bird announces her passing on March 1, 2026, at the age of 94. Violet was born on October 4, 1931, to Hattie and Floyd Steiner in a Victorian farmhouse near Bucyrus, Ohio. She grew up as an only child to industrious parents during the Depression. Her childhood developed her qualities of hard work, frugality, and attention to detail. An artistic soul by nature, she appreciated being surrounded by her mother’s flower garden and loved the peaceful life on the farm. She spent her spare time reading, playing with dolls, and helping her mother. Violet truly followed the Golden Rule throughout her life with her generosity, encouragement, and her great faith in God.

As a girl, Violet was active in 4-H and served as its president. One of her greatest accomplishments as a young woman was winning a national competition for interior home design. Violet redecorated part of her childhood home with a creatively-designed desk and elaborate sewing area. Her decor was featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, and the prize was a college scholarship. Violet was thrilled. She went on to college after graduating from Holmes Liberty High School. Her graduating class had 14 members, and she remained close friends with many of her fellow students for the rest of her life.

With her scholarship, Violet studied art at Ohio State University. After receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and Art, she taught home economics in McComb, Ohio. She went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in Art from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Her love of learning made her an avid reader and a life-long student of history and art, and she also always closely followed current events.

Violet met and married her husband, Harvey, while she was studying for her Master’s degree. Harvey was studying for his Master’s degree in physics, and Violet wrote that, “His eyes just danced with joy.” Harvey, who was a true scientist at heart, used a stopwatch to time his proposal to Violet. It took exactly 56 seconds, but their marriage lasted 50 years! They shared a love of learning, traveling, and family.

In their decades together, Harvey and Violet traveled all over the world including Spain, Venezuela, and Turkey. They visited all 50 states on family camping trips that were enjoyed so much by their two children, Colleen and Suzanne. Violet once said that camping was her most cherished memory with her family. Another shared adventure that brought them a great deal of joy was building a log cabin in the mountains of Montana where they lived for many years.

Throughout her life, Violet pursued her art and had art shows in both Montana and Ohio. Her favorite subjects were landscapes and flowers. Her favorite medium was watercolor, and she often painted in vivid shades of pink, purple, and blue. She wrote in a journal that the word “beauty” described her life. Violet said, “I always try to make every place I am more lovely than before I came to it. I love to plant flowers, decorate, and create art works…To be a good painter, you always need to feel you have not really succeeded, but that you can always do better.” Violet loved painting and it brought her so much joy to create stunning watercolors and peaceful environments wherever she went.

Violet’s generous heart was her greatest strength. Her selflessness and her lovely smile as she gave to others will always be remembered in the lives of those she touched. She never complained even when life threw her some curve balls. Violet had an amazing ability to see the best in others and had a positive attitude in all situations. Her gentleness and attention to detail made her exceptional in everything that she did. No one had a purer heart than Violet!

Violet is survived by her daughter, Colleen Messina, and her beloved 10 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Harvey, her daughter, Suzanne (Bird) Blank, and son-in-law Perry Messina. She will be greatly missed, but is surely welcomed as a shining angel in heaven.