Banker perpetuated family tradition of public service
The words that described the humanitarian efforts of William "Bird" Woodwell's great-grandmother in the late 1800s were among the cornerstones of his life of service.
"It had been written at that time that Bird's great-grandmother, Louisa Herron, was the personal friend of every needy family in the city, and that could also be said of my husband for his numerous commitments to improving the lives of others," said Margot Woodwell, former station manager for WQED.
"Like his great-grandmother, who co-founded the Pittsburgh Association of the Improvement of the Poor for distressed families, Bird was committed to the organization, which is now known as Family Resources."
William H. "Bird" Woodwell of Ligonier, formerly of Squirrel Hill, a retired banker and member of the governing board of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Downtown, died on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in his home. He was 82.
Mr. Woodwell was recognized for his efforts on behalf of the Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children and Canterbury Place.
"It had been written at that time that Bird's great-grandmother, Louisa Herron, was the personal friend of every needy family in the city, and that could also be said of my husband for his numerous commitments to improving the lives of others," said
It is just one of a number of rookeries in South Sound that provide nesting locations for the birds and viewing opportunities for birders. A great blue heron flies above nests in a rookery - also called heronry - in Tacoma this spring.
Join the Audubon Society of Portland, Portland Parks and Recreation, Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, Willamette Riverkeeper and Urban Greenspaces Institute in celebrating a quarter century since the great blue heron was adopted as Portland's official bird