Norma Saari

Norma Louise May Saari, who everyone knew as Birdie, passed away at her home in Mineral Wells, Texas on July 23rd after a long and valiant struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Birdie was born on September 23rd, 1926 in Cayuna, Minnesota, the sixth of eight children, and the daughter of Frank and Eleanor May. She grew up in Crosby, Minnesota. Her father gave her the nickname Birdie, a name by which she was called her entire life, because when he saw her, he said "Look, a little bird." She went on from being a little bird to being crowned Miss Crosby-Ironton Snow Queen, and she competed in the Miss Minnesota pageant when she was twenty-one years old. As a young woman, Birdie was an accomplished dancer and had a reputation as a sharp dresser. She loved to dance to Big Band tunes like those of the Glenn Miller orchestra. In 1947 she was working as a secretary when she met her husband, Mauri, a Marine aviator returning from WWII. It was love at first sight, and she told her children that she was smitten by Mauri's handsome pilot's uniform. The two love birds eloped on January 3, 1948 and went on to have five children and to celebrate 63 years together. Birdie was a devoted mother, and there were always home-baked foods around the kitchen. She was famous for her Thanksgiving and Christmas buffets-feasts, which came together only after a month's worth of cooking. Birdie loved selling. For many years, she sold Avon cosmetics and was one of the top salespeople in the country, winning special recognition and awards. She later won prizes for selling encyclopedias, and she approached her career selling real estate with her usual optimism, energy, and drive. When she lived in Iran, where Mauri got a job in the 70s, she worked once again as a secretary and her organizational and office skills impressed everyone she came in contact with. Through everything, the focus of Birdie's life was her children and her faith. She would make any sacrifice for her children. And she did her best to impart her values including those of hard work and education. The graduation of her five children from college gave her a great sense of pride and achievement. Birdie attended Mass regularly throughout her life. While in Mineral Wells, she was a longtime parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes. Birdie is survived by her husband Mauri, who lovingly and courageously cared for her through the last years of her life and by her five children-Chris, Maurine, Geoff, Jody, and Don. She's also survived by sisters Junie, Marceda, and Eleanor; and by her nine grandchildren, sister-in-laws, and numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to express the deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Irene Carvajal and Linda Moreno, who accorded Birdie so much dignity, love, and devotion throughout the last difficult years. The family would also like to thank Vickie Howard for the enduring and loving care she gave to Birdie. Visitation will be at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardener Funeral Home in Mineral Wells, Texas on Wednesday, July 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services are at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Mineral Wells on Thursday, July 26th at 11:30 a.m. Lunch immediately following. Memorials in Birdie's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.