Jacqueline "Jackie" Bigelow

Jacqueline M. "Jackie" Bigelow, 79, of Willimantic, passed away peacefully at her winter home in St. Augustine, FL, on May 16, 2013, following a valiant fight with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She was born on June 13, 1933 to the late John and Carolyn Herlihy in Portsmouth, NH, where she met and married the love of her life, Raymond R. Bigelow in 1954. They resided in Willimantic and after their retirement, enjoyed the winter months at their home in Peppertree Resort in St. Augustine, where they had many friends. Jackie was a "young", active 79 with a real zest for life. She was a beautiful and fashionable woman, a beloved wife and devoted mother. She retired from University of CT. and was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, Willimantic. Jackie was a lifetime member of American Legion Women's Aux. Unit #19, and participated in their color guard. She was very patriotic. She enjoyed dancing, music, camping and making her famous potato salad. Jackie's greatest achievements have been in the lives of her family and friends. Her generous heart filled her home with love, fun, family and friends. She was like a second mom to a lot of kids growing up. Her presence made life easier for everyone around her. She leaves her children and grandchildren with the knowledge that they were truly loved. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Raymond R. Bigelow, two daughters, Joanne Bigelow of Naples, FL and Jackie Francoeur of Jacksonville, FL; two sisters, Carolyn Doran (Stanley Heap) of Kittery, ME and Jerry (Ralph) Kernea of Marietta, GA; five grandchildren, Bobby, Erin, Meaghan, Cherie and Brittany; five great grandchildren, Leni, Maze, Vera, Micah and Colton; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter Michelle Bigelow. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday May 22, 2013 between 6:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday May 23rd at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic with assembly in the church parking area at 9:45am. Interment will then take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham, followed by a reception to celebrate her life at American Legion on Bricktop Rd., Windham. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to ALS Assoc. FL. Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619-0907. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com . The family would like to send a special thank you to Community Home Health in St. Augustine, FL, Ellen, A.J., Vick, Celmira and Kit and to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL.