| Graduation Year | Class of 1945 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 14, 2014 |
| About | Carolyn Margaret (Ariens) Bir, 87, passed away in Crown Point, Indiana on January 14, 2014. She had suffered a stroke the previous November and had steadily weakened until her passing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Bir and her son, Mark Bir. Her brothers Marian "Bud" Ariens, Willard Ariens, Andrew Ariens and sisters Agnes Ariens, Marcella (Ariens) Kappes, and Audrey (Ariens) Drain, also preceded her death. Carolyn is survived by her son John, his wife, Jeanette (Walla) Bir and their daughters, Elena and Lydia. She is also survived by her sister, Ernestine (Ariens) Johnston. Carolyn was Born in Connersville Indiana, and grew up in Rushville, graduating from Rushville High School in 1945. She was a teacher in Oldenburg, Indiana and also worked in Indianapolis for Indiana Bell in technical drawing. She married Edward Bir of Marion, Indiana in Rushville. They gave birth to their first son, Mark, in Rushville as well. Later, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they adopted their second son, John. Carolyn was a cheerful, generous, and loving person to all who knew her. She had a quick wit and a contagious laugh. She enjoyed tennis, hiking, swimming, baking and cooking her famous chicken with homemade noodles. Carolyn was very active in her parish life. She enjoyed making crafts - (dozens and dozens every Christmas). She was a devout Catholic and fostered this deep love of God in her sons. She always made Mark and John her top priority even as she worked outside of the home to provide for the family as a secretary, school lunch worker and in-home elderly caregiver. She has been sorely missed and leaves a huge gap in her family and friends lives especially because of how she always worked to take care of others and to make them happy. Rev. Jeremy Gries will celebrate the Mass of Remembrance for Carolyn at 9:30 am September 20th at St Mary Catholic Church 512 N Perkins St. Rushville, Indiana 46173. Burial at Calvary Cemetery will follow. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make any donations to your local St Vincent de Paul Society. |
