Birdella "Birdie" Mae Halsey, 88, passed away of natural causes Thursday surrounded bye her family.

Birdella was born in Corvallis to Pearl Vera Moore. Most of her child hood was spent in Milton Freewater with her Aunt Ethal and Uncle Ernest Loos.

Birdella met and married William Halsey II of Albany on Nov. 28, 1942. They had four children together: William John Halsey III of Albany, Danny Clark Halsey of Albany, Michael O'Brien Halsey of Albany and Patsy Lynn Martin of Albany. Her grandchildren are Debra Louise Haaland of Everette, Wash., Michael John Clark Martin and Patrick Ronald Martin of Lebannon, Jimmey Clark Halsey of Millersburg, Kristy Lynn Steeprow of Sherwood, Eric O'Brien Halsey of Albany, Mathew Nicholas Halsey of Gresham, Cody Clark Halsey of Portland and Jodi Michelle Halsey of Sandy. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.

Birdella was known as "Grandma Sweetheart" by her family. She enjoyed trips to the beach and would be in her garden every chance she could get. Birdella worked multiple jobs as a medical assistant, real estate agent and in home care-giving. Throughout her various career paths, Birdella's favorite job was always taking care of her family.

Birdella was preceded in death by multiple sisters and her brother. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Angela Marie Halsey Miner in late 2009.

A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at AAsum Dufour Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St. S.W., Albany. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.