Evon Rose Bird

Evon Rose Bird passed away on September 18, 2026, at White Plains Hospital. Born on January 13, 1940, to Maurice Bird and Iris Bird, she grew up in her cherished birthplace of Negril, Jamaica. She fondly remembered her school days and the freedom of her youth.

At 17, Evon moved to Nottingham, England, and began a nursing career that would remain one of her life's greatest passions. She often shared stories of the joyful times she spent there with her siblings. In the late 1960s, she returned to Jamaica and settled in Kingston. She became Head Nurse at University Hospital, a milestone she held dear. She also treasured her work as a midwife in England and later in a nursery in Jamaica. In Kingston, she met Byron Elliott, and their daughter, Audrey, was born in 1968.

Evon and Audrey moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1977, where Evon earned her Registered Nurse license. She moved to New York in 1983 and spent much of her career as a psychiatric nurse at White Plains Hospital. She later returned her roots working in the nursery at the hospital, retiring in 2006.

In her later years, Evon helped raise her beloved granddaughter, Brianna. Her nursing career and her devotion to her daughter and granddaughter were her proudest achievements.

Evon is survived by her daughter, Audrey Elliott-Barnes; her son-in-law, Jeff Barnes; and her granddaughter, Brianna Barnes. She is also survived by her siblings Grace Robertson, Godwin Tate and his wife, Dorothy, and Kevin Haggarthy, as well as her honorary brother, Norman Tait. She lovingly remembered her brothers Eustace Wellington and Leary Byrd and her sister Patricia Bird, who passed away before her.

Her surviving nieces and nephews are Dale Wellington, Diane Wellington, Jackie Wellington-Johnson, Richard Byrd, Yvonne Byrd, Marcia Haffenden, Lorraine (Susie) Ricketts, Sandra Semour, Jenie (Queenie) Byrd, Gary Robertson, Anthony Robertson, Lorna Eells, Michael Bent, Donna Tate, Patrick Tate, Dean Tate, and Haleema Haggarthy. She also remembered with love her nieces and nephews who passed away before her: Mark Robertson, Tony Wellington, Meagan Wellington, and Paul Byrd.

Evon will be remembered for her strength, fierce spirit, and steadfast love. May she rest in peace, embraced by the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.

A memorial service will be held at Ballard-Durand on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.