Mary Jane Bigger

Mary Jane (Smith) Bigger, 81, of Millbury, died on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, in Millbury Health Care Center, after a long illness.

Her husband of 10 years, Charles T. Bigger, died in 1994. She leaves a stepson, Charles R. Bigger, of Mechanicsville, NY; a stepgrandson, Charles T. Bigger II, and 2 stepgreat-grandchildren: Payton E. and Damien M. Bigger, all of Virginia Beach, VA; her sister-in-law, Laura M. Smith of Foxboro; 6 grandnephews; 2 grandnieces; and 3 great-grandnieces. Her brother, John L. Smith of Foxboro, predeceased her. She was born in Camp Hill, PA, on September 3, 1926, daughter of the late John A. and Esther E. (Wilson) Smith, and lived in New Cumberland, PA and in Worcester, before moving to Millbury in 1965. She was a 1944 graduate of South High School, Worcester.

Mrs. Bigger started work as an office worker at the John E. McGinnis Co. department store in Worcester. Four years later, she began work as office manager at the Electrolux Corp., Worcester, where she remained for 12 years. She then worked for 8 years as office manager at the Odd Fellows Home, Worcester, followed by 18 years as office manager at Eastern Fence and Wire, Co., Worcester. Before she retired in 1996, she worked as a cashier at Goretti's Supermarket, Millbury, for 10 years.

She was a member of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, Worcester, the Ladies Auxiliary of Charles F. Minney Post #3329, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Millbury, the Women's Auxiliary of Unit #4, Disabled American Veterans, Worcester, and a former member of the Auburn Ten-pin Bowling League and the Lincoln Lanes Bowling League, Worcester.

Mrs. Bigger's funeral service will be held at 6:30 PM on Saturday, May 31, in Turgeon Funeral Home, 56 Main St. After cremation, her ashes will be laid beside those of her beloved husband in Rural Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Saturday, May 31, from 5 to 6:30 PM. Please omit flowers. Donations in her memory may be made to Hadwen Park Congregational Church, 6 Clover St., Worcester, MA 01603. The members of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary will assemble at 5:30 PM in the funeral home during the calling hours to conduct their ritual of farewell.