Hazel T. Bird, age 97, passed away November 11, 2020 at Vitas Hospice Care after declining health. Although family was unable to be by her side given COVID restrictions, she was surrounded by love, prayers and angels of those who passed before her.
Hazel, a native New Yorker, was born and raised in Harlem, New York to the late Ursella and Arnold Phillips. She attended Cathedral High School, a Catholic College Prep school, graduating in 1941. Word has it that she took the admissions test and passed with flying colors, without studying.
She met her love, Alfred Bird, in New York and they married on December 24, 1955. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. They lived in New York until Alfred retired in 1976 and then they chose to live between Florida and New York until Hazel retired in 1989.
Hazel held various administrative positions in the federal government with the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service in New York and continued working for the IRS until 1989 before moving to West Palm Beach permanently. She worked for a private law firm in West Palm Beach. One year turned into five years before she retired.
Hazel loved to cook, entertain and travel. She and 'Birdy' were known to take cruises, visit family in the Cayman Islands and California. She had life-long friends and enjoyed playing Bridge, Mah Jong and other card games. As a member of "The Decades" in New York and "The Platinum Girls" in Florida, she was socially active joining friends to play cards and celebrate birthdays and special occasions.
Hazel will always be remembered for her sharp wit, sense of humor, warm heart and generous spirit. With a sparkle in her eye and a hearty laugh and smile, she could be counted on to make you laugh even if she had to tickle you. Her family, circle of friends and the world are all better because of her and she will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents and re-united with her loving husband, Alfred, when he passed on Monday, November 16, 2020. May they both Rest in Peace together...forever! She leaves a host of nieces, nephews and cousins in Cayman Island, New York, Florida, Tennessee, California and Canada, and a sister-in-law, Francine Smith in Cayman Islands. She represents 'the last of our Mohicans' leaving all with many special memories! She will be missed by all!

Visitation and Memorial services will be held at 11:30 AM, Thursday, December 10, 2020 at West Palm Beach National Chapel on 10055 Heritage Farms Rd, Lake Worth, FL 33449. Burial will follow in South Florida National Cemetery at 6501 SR7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to: Grace Fellowship, 8350 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411