BRADSHAW, ANN (March 6, 1945 - April 4, 2006)
Ann Bradshaw, loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, master falconer, expert wildlife/bird rehabilitator, respected librarian and fiery red-haired Cherokee-Irish comedic philosopher, spread her wings and left this world on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 following a brief illness.
It mattered that she was.
Ann chose the image of an open, caring hand releasing a mended bird back to its wild as the logo for the Bradshaw’s Ferris, Texas-based volunteer wild bird rehabilitation organization, On The Wing Again. That outreached hand symbolized her life in all its facets.
Established officially in 1992, On The Wing Again cared for some 3,500 sick, injured and orphaned birds each year, giving them necessary medical care, healing time and a second chance at life. On The Wing Again focuses on birds, but it was not unusual to find an infant squirrel or rabbit sharing the warmth of Ann’s body until the orphan could be situated in a better location.
Over the years, Ann trained a cadre of volunteers in the art of bird rehabilitation and wildlife education, along with dozens of official and unofficial apprentices in the art of falconry. In addition to rehab activities, On The Wing Again reaches out to the community with educational programs for schools, scout groups, civic organizations and community festivals. These programs touch approximately half a million people each year, allowing them to meet hawks, falcons, owls and vultures up close while learning how to protect their habitat.
Ann’s hands also reached out to children, both in education and as a foster parent to twenty-seven sons in addition to her two adopted sons, Kirk and Kevin.
In the kitchen, Ann’s hands made magic. A gourmet cook on a budget, Ann’s cost-saving canning delights won dozens of blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas in multiple categories. She also wrote two game cookbooks for falconers.
For almost 20 years, Ann’s name was linked in tandem with Pierre, like two parts of a whole. The couple married on August 9, 1986 and had planned to renew their vows on their 20th anniversary this summer.
Ann’s hands and arms bore scores of scars from the wild raptors and birds that came into her care. She wore those scars proudly, knowing that wildness doesn’t understand humanity and is often terrified at its presence, despite its caring intentions.
But it was her unique perspective on life that engaged all those around her. Her recitation of even the most mundane life event imagined it into a rollicking and entertaining story that touched the very pulse of life’s absurdities and its rainbow magic.
Born March 6, 1945 in Hominy, Oklahoma, Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Library Science from the University of Oklahoma. She followed with graduate work in Library Science and Psychology at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Colorado at Boulder with minors in English and Sociology. In 1979, Ann began her 27-year career with the Dallas County Community College District. Beginning as a keypunch operator, Ann rose to the title of Team Leader, Information Access Services where she held responsibility for the automated library system for seven DCCCD campuses. She was honored with the Margaret E. Mann Library Services Award in 1999 from the American Library Association, an award normally reserved for librarians at larger universities.
Ann was a member of the North American Falconers’ Association, the Texas Hawking Association, the National Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Association and a member and officer of the International Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Council. She also served as the Rehabilitation Chair for the Dallas County Audubon Society Board.
Ann is survived by Pierre, her husband and loving partner of nearly 20 years, sons Kirk Bradshaw Austin, Kevin Pierre Bradshaw, his wife Gina Bradshaw, and three grandchildren, Jonathan Pierre Bradshaw, Mark Anthony Bradshaw, and Jasmine Nicole Bradshaw. She is also survived by her sister in spirit, Jane Carrol Hall of Poteau, Oklahoma.
Internment ceremonies will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, Ann requested that donations be made to On The Wing Again, 300 Chapparal Road, Ferris, Texas 75125.
