Remembering Maryann Bird
Maryann Bird served as an associate editor with China Dialogue (now Dialogue Earth) from its founding in 2006 until her retirement in 2012, playing a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s editorial identity. Below, her sister Kathleen Bird reflects on Maryann’s life and career.
Maryann Elizabeth Bird, 74, a longtime journalist formerly of Trenton, New Jersey (US), died in late December 2024 at her home in London.
Born 24 March 1950 in Trenton, she was a 1968 graduate of Notre Dame High School and 1972 graduate of Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). Interested in journalism in her youth, she worked on both of her high school and college newspapers before establishing a lengthy professional career as a journalist.
After growing up in Hamilton township, she was a former resident of Trenton, Yardley, Pa., Manhattan, Paris, and London, and worked as a reporter and later, Sunday editor, at the Bucks County Courier Times. She was a copy editor of The Times of Trenton and an editor on the national desk of The New York Times before she moved to Paris decades ago. She previously worked for Trenton magazine.
Maryann left The New York Times and spent nearly a year traveling the world before accepting a job offer at the International Herald Tribune in Paris.
She later moved to London, where she worked for Time magazine (Europe) and The Independent.
Maryann later was a freelance writer, and worked for two London-based websites, openDemocracy and China Dialogue, which address a wide range of political and environmental issues. She had a special interest in environmental and human rights issues.
She fully embraced life, endlessly learning, and was curious.
She enjoyed art, dance performances, museums, theatre, culture, history, people, and her many friends around the globe.
She was the daughter of the late Walter T Bird Sr and the late Anna M (McLernon) Bird. The oldest of six children, Maryann was predeceased by brothers Walter T Bird Jr. of Plainsboro; Joseph P Bird of Trenton; and David C Bird of Long Hill township.
She is survived by her brother, Dennis J Bird and Sheila Joyce Bird of Dorchester, MA; and sister Kathleen Bird of Hackettstown; and three sisters-in-law, Maria Bird of Beachwood; Kate Meredith Esposito of Philadelphia; and Nancy Fleming Bird of Long Hill township; four cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
Reflections from Sam Geall, CEO
Maryann brought rigorous standards to the task of producing clear and engaging copy for the website and she was known for her sharp editorial eye, her insistence on accuracy, and her intolerance for unnecessary verbosity. She was a mentor to many, generous with her time, and fiercely passionate about the environment and social justice. Her wit and directness left a mark on everyone she worked with, and her memory continues to inspire us.
