Bridget “Birdie” Arms
December 9, 1935 – May 20, 2024
Bridget “Birdie” Arms, 88, of Foster passed away Monday, May 20, 2024. She was born on December 9, 1935 to Jeremiah and Julie Mary (Harrington) Justice in Wallow County Cork, Ireland.
She was raised in Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland, came to Newport in 1947 at the age of 12 years old. From Newport she moved with family to Lebanon, married Donald Olson later their marriage was annulled. She married William “Bill” Hess and had four children then divorced in 1973. Birdie married Howard Arms in 1977 and moved to Sweet Home. Later she moved to Cascadia until her death.
Birdie was mostly a stay at home mom. She went to Cascade Baptist Church in Lebanon, then went to Church of Christ in Sweet Home where she was baptized. When her husband retired they sold their property and moved to Cascadia and was very involved in Cascadia Bible Church which she loved very much.
She liked to fish for trout in the Santiam River and cat fish on the Snake River. She was an avid gardener of both vegetables and flowers. Everyone enjoyed her home baked bread and dinner rolls. She loved spending time with family and friends, playing rummy, a dice and marble board game called “bump” which is kind of like Aggravation.
Birdie is survived by her son; William “Willie” Hess; daughters, Ruth Standley, Margaret “Maggie” Adams; step-daughter Charlotte Schilling (Don); step-daughter-in-law Wanda Arms; brother Patrick “Pat” Justice (Diana); adopted family friend Sidney Ann Marks (Brad) and their son Bradley; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents; husband Howard Arms; brothers Emmett “Tim” and Georgie Justice; sister Julia O’Sullivan; daughter: Sheila Hess; step-son: Chris Arms; son-in-law: Tim Standley; grandson Matthew Schilling.
Viewing will be 4-6 pm Thursday, May 30th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Memorial service will be 2 pm Tuesday, June 4th, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Final burial will be at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.