Connie Jean (Bielby) Baird
1951 - 2013

Connie Jean (Bielby) Baird of Hemlock, surrounded by her family, ran to the loving arms of the Master Teacher on Monday, September 16, 2013. Age 62 years. The daughter of the late Barbara (Hubbard) Bielby and Eugene Bielby, Connie was born June 10, 1951 in Cadillac, Michigan. She married James Albert Baird IV, her devoted husband of 41 years, on June 24, 1972. He survives her. Together they raised many children beyond their own, loved unconditionally, laughed often and shared the joys of sporting events, concerts and school related activities. They enjoyed canoe trips, service projects and serving others. Her favorite places were Cadillac, Marion and Point Betsie. Connie was a successful teacher for Saginaw Township Schools for 34 years, sharing her passion for children, books, writing and creativity. She took time to craft amazing quilts that wove in the many pieces of fabric and story of her life as well as gardening and reading thousands of books. Her life as a servant minister for Jesus Christ was felt by all she encountered. She was an ordained Elder in the Community of Christ Church, serving others through youth camps, Young Adult retreats, bible schools, children's ministry, missionary work in Africa and serving the needs of the community. Connie was a member of the Saginaw Valley Writing Project, Friends of Theodore Roethke, Learning to Give Philanthropy Project, Saginaw Township Jaycee's, Wednesday Morning Eagle Ridge Bible Study and Camp Quality. Surviving besides her husband Jim are her children, Tiffany (Chad) Jackson, Rockford; Jason (Sarah) Baird, Hemlock; grandchildren, Kalee, Blake, Lauren, Paige and a baby due in December; Connie's father, Eugene (Bonnie) Bielby, Freeland; brothers, Eugene (Connie) Bielby, Connecticut; Kim (Barbie) Bielby, Grand Haven; Carl (Jean) Bielby, Saginaw; Mark Bielby, Saginaw; hundreds of cousins, nieces, nephews, many loving, caring and inspiring aunts and uncles, as well as dear friends. Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Bielby, and she will rock lovingly her other grandchildren in Heaven. Honoring Connie's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Community of Christ Church, 300 N. Center Road, Saginaw, Michigan, 48638. Seventy Bill Dodds and Evangelist Jack Ergo will officiate. Friends may call at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Friday, September 27, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at Community of Christ Church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Her dreams for the future included: children being on the laps of loved ones, reading books and sharing stories and enjoying art time. Please consider the gift of books for a school, church or library in her honor.