Our loving, beautiful, dancing, joke telling, sunshine, mommy, mama, grammy Roberta “Birdi” Belle Harris, 63, passed away on July 14, 2022, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Surrounded by her loving family while listening to her favorite songs, Birdi maintained her fighting spirit until the end. Her battle with cancer over recent years was hard fought and demonstrated Birdi’s courage in tackling life’s challenges, often doing so with humor and laughter.  Born to the late Carl and Toyo Byrd in Augusta, Georgia, Birdi lived in many places as a child of a military family, eventually settling in Gainesville, Florida. She accelerated academically, graduated high school early, and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Birdi was passionate about education and her profession as a registered nurse, providing care and compassion to others for many years.

Birdi married Bradford Harris and had two daughters that she frequently claimed were the best thing she ever did. She raised her family in Naples, Florida and moved to Lancaster in later years to be closer to family. Birdi absolutely adored her 6 grandchildren. She loved reading books to them, playing with them, singing to them, and spoiling them to no end. Birdi’s positive energy was infectious, and she always looked to the bright side, often attempting to make light of even the most difficult situations. It wasn’t out of place for her, having just met someone, to boast of her daughters and grandchildren and anyone she met was sure to remember her for her sharp wit, jokes, and abundance of compliments.

Birdi will be missed dearly as her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with her parents.  She is survived by Bradford, daughters Jeannette (Fred) Schetrompf, Jennifer (Garrett) Snyder, six loving grandchildren, Landon, Dustin, Bohdan, Brooks, Bennett, and Marabelle, her siblings, and extended family. Her passion for academics, strength and courage, love for the color pink and shopping, and most importantly humor will continue on through her family.  Upon her final days with family she jokingly said, “I told y’all I was sick! Put that in my obituary!”

A private family service will be held at a later date to honor Birdi.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you remember Birdi by telling corny jokes, striking up a conversation and complimenting a complete stranger, buying yourself something that brings you happiness, and being kind to yourself.

Cremation Services of Lancaster – 717-Cremate