After 85 years of a life dedicated to music, family, and civic service, Nancy Kessinger Bird passed away July 8, 2022.
Born and educated in Charleston, Nancy ultimately obtained a Master of Music degree from Marshall University and taught piano in both her private studio and as part of the University of Charleston’s music consortium.
Nancy Kessinger married Denver Edward “Ed” Bird in 1957, and together they raised their children Scott, Kean and Carol in Charleston’s South Hills neighborhood. Nancy is preceded in death by Ed and Kean Bird and is survived by Scott Bird, of San Antonio; Carol Bird, of Annapolis Md.; daughter-in-law, Cassandra Bird; granddaughter, Alexandra Bird Adrian; and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Lane Adrian, all of Morgantown.
After relocating to Morgantown in the 1990s, Nancy joined the faculty of the Fairmont State University Community Music program. There, she organized an award-winning, annual Summer Keyboard Camp for many years and served as accompanist for the college choir until retirement in 2009. Additionally, Nancy Bird was a founding member of the West Virginia Music Teachers Association, the state affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association. She earned the level of Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. During her 40 years with the organization, she held the offices of District II chair, newsletter editor, and served on the State Certification Board. Nancy was also a patron member of the Monongahela Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, very active in hospitality and attendance at the guild’s events and concerts.
In addition to promoting the study and enjoyment of music, Nancy supported the community by serving on the Board of the League of Women Voters of Morgantown-Monongalia (LWVMM). She also served on the Library Financing Study Committee and the Natural Resources County Recycling committee.
As a lifelong learner, Nancy enjoyed OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU, where she participated in classes, trips and the band. She also enjoyed continuing music education in Adult Piano for Fun Classes with the WVU Community Music Program.
In lieu of a memorial and visitation, and in honor of Nancy’s lifelong love of birdwatching and gardening, the Bird family donated to the WV Botanic Garden’s new event center. A permanent art installation reflecting the names of donors will be installed in the lobby this August, to be enjoyed by all.
The family extends special thanks for the kindness and expert care provided to our mother by the staff of Morgantown’s Evergreen Assisted Living and the WV Caring Hospice organization. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fred Jenkins Funeral Home.
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
