Patsy Gene Bird Weber, age 75 of New Braunfels, passed away on January 11, 2016.
Patsy was the fifth child born to Homer and Laura Stevenson Bird on February 3, 1940. Her birth followed the tragic death of the Bird's only son, Edwin Homer Bird in 1939. Homer had promised a big surprise for his two younger daughters, Ginger and Shirley. Imagine their shock when told that they had a new baby sister – they were expecting ice cream! She was dearly loved by her sisters who called her "Baby Gene."
Patsy and her sisters attended a two room school in the Alum community until the school was consolidated into the Stockdale Independent School District. She graduated from high school in 1957 and immediately entered the University of Texas at Austin and later transferred to San Antonio College.
In 1960 her son, Charles Edwin Cotter was born in Galveston, Texas. Being the only grandchild born to the Bird family, Charles brought great joy and delight to Homer and Laura and especially to his three aunts.
In 1965 she began a long career with Braniff Airlines and eventually was transferred to Houston where she and Charles made their home. It was an exciting time to work for an airline with Braniff starting the End of the Plain Plane!
In 1980 Patsy and her then husband purchased a historic home in New Braunfels spending the next ten years restoring and refurbishing. In 1990 she joined Weber Annuity Services as an officer and owner. During this time Patsy suffered with end stage renal failure. In 2007 she was blessed with a kidney transplant.
Patsy enjoyed good times and travel with many special events including birthdays spent in Mexico until it was deemed unsafe. She loved to read novels and was considered by some a "political junkie." Her favorite pastime was watching college football and all sports featuring the Texas Longhorns.
Patsy had many, many friends some with whom she shared childhood and school days. These friends include Bell Crawford, Martha Cook, Sue Billings, Kathy Mills, Helen Lambeck, Alene Quinney, Sharon Akin and Judy Person. In New Braunfels loyal friends include Daisy Crayton, Tracey White, Pat Cantrell and Terri Moorhead. She will be remembered as a good friend, a generous friend, and the best dressed. Patsy had impeccable taste in clothes and jewelry. She never had a bad hair day or less than perfect makeup yet we still loved her!
She had favorite restaurants where all the waiters knew her name and which table she preferred. She was lovely and gracious to all with whom she came in contact.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents Homer and Laura Bird, brother Edwin Homer Bird, sister Shirley Bird Perry, and brother-in-law Buddy Davis. She is survived by her son, Charles Edwin Cotter of Houston, grandsons Jake Austin Cotter of Dallas and Trevor Wade Cotter of Houston. Sisters Mary Jane Jonsson and her husband Errol of Crystal City, Texas and Ginger Bird Davis of New Braunfels, Texas and brother-in-law Sam Perry of Austin. She is also survived by her extended family Tamberly Hurosky and husband Michael and their children Travis and Harley Hurosky of Lago Vista, Texas.
A memorial service celebrating Patsy's life will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Stockdale Texas with Rev. Ray Perales and Mr. Drexel Riley officiating. Private interment will be held at the Stockdale Cemetery in Stockdale Texas.
In lieu of flowers, Patsy requests that memorials be made to: The Shirley Bird Perry Endowment Fund for University History, c/o The University Development Office, University of Texas at Austin, P. O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78763-7458.