Anne Lehr Bigelow

Anne Lehr Bigelow, a former resident of Darien, died Thursday, June 12, in Hudson, Fla; she was 93, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her, her family said

Born in 1920 in Lebanon, Penn, she was the daughter of Charles Ellis and Mae M Lehr She grew up in Bethlehem, Pa, where she attended Liberty High School, and she earned an associate's degree from Moravian College in 1940 She then worked briefly at Weston-Dodson Coal Company and at Bethlehem Steel Company

During World War II, Anne Lehr enlisted in the Navy in 1942 as one of the initial group of WAVES She became one of the first female Navy officers, serving in the Navy intelligence office; she also was the model for a Navy recruiting advertisement that appeared in national magazines and on posters

In 1943, Ensign Lehr married another Navy officer, Lt Benjamin Bigelow; they were married for more than 62 years She was discharged from the Navy in 1944, and returned to Bethlehem while her husband continued to serve overseas After the war, they moved initially to Lynn, Mass, and then to the New York area, eventually settling in Darien in 1962 In addition to raising a family, Mrs Bigelow provided administrative support for her husband's business, served as office manager for Corbin Development Co, became a licensed realtor, and managed the Darien office for Paul Dauk Associates; she also was active in the First Congregational Church They retired to Florida in 1977

Mrs Bigelow was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, devoted to her family and friends, her family said

In her retirement years, she was an avid reader, bridge player, and golfer, winning club trophies even in her 80's

Mrs Bigelow is survived by a daughter, Karin Bigelow Faber, and her husband George, of Kennett Square, Pa; a son Jonathan Bigelow and his wife Mariann, of Wilton; and a son Peter Bigelow and his wife Margaret, of Darien Mrs Bigelow is also survived by six grandchildren, Dr Sara Faber Adler of Huntersville, NC, Jake Faber of Kennett Square, Pa, Emily Bigelow of Columbus, Ohio, Catherine Bigelow of Darien, James Bigelow of Wilton, and David Bigelow of Darien; and one great-grandchild, Benjamin Adler of Huntersville, NC She was predeceased by her husband, Benjamin; a son, Benjamin Jr; a grandson, Benjamin Faber; and her brother, Charles Ellis Lehr Jr

A memorial service is planned for later this summer Memorial donations may be made to the Benjamin Faber Memorial Scholarship Fund, West Chester University Foundation, PO Box 541, West Chester, PA 19381

- by The Darien Times