Mary Jo Bird

Mary Jo Bird, 87, passed away on May 20, 2024, at Gentlecare in Vincennes, IN.

She was born to the late Renna Mae Cullison and C. Lane Martin on June 20, 1936, in Vincennes.

Mary Jo epitomized the definition of a renaissance woman, beautifully orchestrating the many and varied responsibilities of church, family, work, friends, and community service. A lifelong resident of Vincennes, Mary Jo never missed a Lincoln Homecoming weekend and remained close to those from her Lincoln High School Class of 1954, some of whom she had known since Kindergarten at Harrison Elementary School.

In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Donald “Jack” Hudson, and together they built a family, including three children for whom they shared responsibility for raising. In 1966, they bought and fixed up a big old house on Old Wheatland Road which became the family home for the next five decades.

Devoted to her family, she worked the split shift as a telephone operator at Indiana Bell for many years so she could be available to drive the kids to and from their countless school, band, church (including, All God’s Children), and sports activities. Later, she treasured her relationships with her friends and co-workers at Vincennes University, where she was a member of the Office of Financial Aid team. No matter how busy she was, however, Mary Jo endeavored to make the house on Old Wheatland Road a “go-to” place for family and friends by always keeping the cupboard full of Jolly Rollies and other (healthy?) snacks, and by hosting countless gatherings where she made everyone who entered feel welcome and loved.

In 1988, Mary Jo married Chef Bob Bird, whom she met while working at Vincennes University. Their beautiful life together included traveling – notably, a trip to France and a train ride to California, enjoying his extensive model train collection, cooking for friends and family, and sitting on the front porch as nearly every car that passed by honked and waved a friendly “hello” to Mary Jo and Bob.

Dubbed as a “social butterfly” by some of her grandchildren, Mary Jo delighted in spending time with her friends, including those from church, school, Mary Marthas and Delts. From daily therapy over tea with neighbors, to tole painting, to the McDonalds Coffee gang, to multiple card games each week, to creating beautiful hand-made greeting cards, to the Indiana University Basketball fan club, to making noodles at the church, to shopping and boating trips in Florida, Mary Jo’s life was filled with the radiance that manifested from these very special relationships.

Music also was important to Mary Jo, whose album collection included artists Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, and Barbara Streisand, among many others. She played the piano with considerable skill and, at an early age, was an organist and pianist for North Methodist Church, to which their family was devoted. Her decades of acting as piano accompanist to her singing children and grandchildren, combined with musical influence from the Hudson family, instilled in them a love for music that lives on as a part of her legacy.

Perhaps her greatest joy, and her most brilliantly executed contribution, came through her role as “Grandma Jo.” Endless stories exist of her adventures with the grandchildren. From driving through Zip and Sip after school, to spirited games of “Speed” and Euchre around the dining room table, to just-on-the-brink-of-chaos Christmas and July 4th celebrations -- complete with delicious meals prepared by Mary Jo and Bob, to “Wonderful Wednesday” dinners, to never missing a performance, game or graduation, Mary Jo fostered experiences that kept the family close, and generated the kind of love and attention that helped build confidence and character within each grandchild.

Although we are sad to lose Mary Jo from our day-to-day lives, we are deeply grateful for her unwavering and unconditional love and support. She instilled in her family the highest levels of integrity, work ethic, and can-do spirit. We acknowledge and appreciate her for the opportunities we have had to pursue higher education, and for helping us understand the importance of placing God, family, and friends at the forefront of who we are as individuals and as a family.

Thank you for a life well lived, Mary Jo Bird. You have made an enormous difference.

Mary Jo is survived by her sister, Linda Martin (Carl) Shannon of West Bend, WI; children, Susan Hudson (Kem) Coulter of Houston, TX, Doug Hudson, of Bradenton, FL, Lea Ann Hudson (Eric) Martinovich, of Vincennes, Melissa Hatcher, CA, and Laura (Chad) Erchul, MN; grandchildren, Meghan Coulter (Erik) Nelson, Joel (Judith) Coulter, and Andrew (Johnathan Richards) Coulter of Houston; Sarah Hayden of Evansville, IN, Elliott Hudson (Laura Lewis) of Bloomington, IN and Aubrey Hudson (Rhett Laffoon) of Chicago, IL; Alex Hills (Jess Cooper) of Lawrenceville, IL, Grace Hills (Rob Denny) of Indianapolis, IN, Annie Jo Hills (Cam Weyer) of Evansville, IN, and LM (Heather Mae) Lay, FL, Nick (Katie Twisdale) Lay, FL, and Zach Lay of Indianapolis; and great-grandchildren, Liliana Coulter, Emilia Coulter, and Freya Nelson of Houston, and Jaycee Hills and Alex, Liam, Addie, and Declan Cooper of Lawrenceville. She also is survived by her former husband and the adored father and grandfather of her children, Jack Hudson, and a large and cherished extended family and circle of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Robert H. Bird, her stepdaughter, Heather Bird, and her brother, Bruce A. Martin, all of Vincennes.

Visitation for Mary Jo will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 234 Broadway St., Vincennes, IN 47591. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, at 10:00 am, at Community Church of Vincennes, 1548 S. Hart Street Rd., followed by a brief graveside ceremony at Memorial Park Cemetery, 919 Willow St, Vincennes.

The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the staff members of St. Croix Hospice, Gentlecare Nursing & Rehabilitation, The Villages at Oakridge in Washington, IN, and Fox Ridge Manor in Vincennes for their compassion and caring over the past two years.

In lieu of flowers, and should friends desire, contributions can be made in memory of Mary Jo Bird to: the new outdoor playground at Community Church of Vincennes; the Heather Bird Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Knox County Community Foundation; or to a charity of choice. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mary Jo.

"Always be kinder than necessary." ~ Mary Jo Bird