Birdie Blair

Birdie Mae Blair, 90, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2013 in Yakima. She was born June 15, 1922, in Cardin, OK, the second child of four, to the union of Charles Malotte and Lydia Caroline McKemy Malotte. She was a very frail infant and not expected to live. Her older brother took her in his bicycle basket several times a day to a neighbor for supplemental nursing. She soon flourished and was a healthy child. When her parents married her father had two older boys and her mother had one, so they became Birdie’s combined family of five brothers and one sister. She had a good childhood, but learned many lessons surviving in the Depression that helped her raise her growing family. She graduated from Pitcher High School and a few weeks later, on June 28, 1941, married the love of her life, Floyd Blair. Floyd was drafted in the Army and soon left for overseas duty the day before their first child, Lynda, was born. She made a life for herself and her baby for 2 1/2 years before Floyd came home. They settled in Everett, WA where Gale, Ron, and Marilyn were born. In 1954 they moved to Yakima where they continued raising their family. They were very active in Broadway Christian Church. Every Sunday the kids were polished and groomed and she did her best to get them to church in that same condition. Birdie dedicated her life to being a wife, mother, and homemaker, but when her youngest child was married she spread her wings and went to work for Mayflower Moving and Storage. She worked as the office manager for 18 years. Birdie and Floyd spent much of their time enjoying the outdoors, jeeping, camping in the Little Naches area, and picking huckleberries. They were often joined by the Watkins and Jump families. This love of the outdoors was passed on to the children and grandchildren and became a highly regarded family tradition. It is still a favorite of theirs. Her grandchildren especially remember those family camping trips. In the mornings Birdie’s trailer was always warm and smelled of freshly perked coffee. The kids knew they could get any breakfast they wanted, whether a hot bowl of Cream of Wheat or bacon & pancakes, she would cook whatever each one wanted. She always had a Band-Aid, extra marshmallows or whatever else you forgot to bring camping. Birdie loved being a grandmother and was the best at it. She loved each one no matter where their lives took them and gave that same love to her great-grandchildren. Birdie will always be remembered for her immaculate house, her pinochle parties, and her delicious pies with perfect crust. She was a quiet woman, content to work behind the scenes and let others shine. Birdie’s sweet spirit was recognized by all who knew her, even in her last years spent in assisted living at Englewood Heights and finally at the memory care unit of Arbor House. Her family is very thankful for their wonderful care and attentiveness, especially at the time of her death. Birdie is survived by her brother, William (Mary Ann) Malotte, her children Lynda Perkins, Gale Blair, Ron (Felicia) Blair, and Marilyn (Michael) Waits. Her beloved grandchildren are Jeff Mollett, Tracy (Tony) Harris, Josh Waits, Mandy (Jeff) Burkett, Carrie (Roy) Strobl, Kyle Blair, Kaylene Blair and step grandchildren Jennifer (Willie) Millsap and Lesley Gallick. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Birdie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Floyd Blair, in 2000, her granddaughter Katrina Perkins in 1970, brothers Charles Malotte, Sam Malotte, Clair Malotte, and Ed Bowling, and sister Mar Lou McCormick. Her great-granddaughter, Madison, summed her up this way: “She was always the lady.” A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 29, 2013 at 3 PM at Valley Hills Funeral Home. For online condolences, please go to www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Birdie Blair, please visit our flower store.