Mary Ballentine Bigham

FALMOUTH — Mary Ballentine Bigham died on December 30, 2009, after a long illness. She was born on November 3, 1945, and was 64 years old.

Mary was the wife of Donald W. Bigham. They were married December 28, 1996. She was the daughter of George F. Ballentine Jr. and Isabel Handy Ballentine of North Falmouth.

A lifelong resident of Falmouth, Mary attended Falmouth schools, Wheaton College, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 1994, with a degree in Human Services.

Mary worked at New England Telephone, Kendall Printing, Woods Hole Golf Club, Gerald Roan's dental office, and had her own business, Handy Home Helper, which provided services to children and the elderly.

Mary was active in her church, including coordinating ecclesiastic meetings and retreats. Among other activities, she was a volunteer in the chaplain's office at Falmouth Hospital for many years, where she was honored as Volunteer of the Month. She also volunteered in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod program.

Mary was a great fan of yard sales, where, aside from accumulating household treasures, she met her beloved husband Don.

Mary took great pleasure in family and friends. With her loving, outgoing, cheerful and unselfish personality, she made everyone feel special. Mary will be remembered by all whose lives she touched.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her siblings: Richard Ballentine and his wife Judy of Tidewater, OR; Stephen Ballentine and his wife Sally of Cataumet, MA; her sister-in-law Judy Ballentine (wife of the late John Ballentine) of Londonderry, NH; Barbara Ballentine of Norwood, MA; James Ballentine and his wife Debbie of Waterford, VA; Anne Young and her husband Ken of Leicester, VT; and Wendy Badman and her children Terry, Erin, and James of Shoreham, VT. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mary also leaves her three stepsons: Peter Bigham and his wife Marjorie of Boston, MA; Andrew Bigham of Medfield, MA; and Thomas Bigham and his wife Denise of Sunnyvale, CA; and five stepgrandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and her brother John.

Services will be at the West Falmouth Methodist Church, at 11 a.m., on January 16, 2010. A reception will follow at the church. Burial services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to: Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program, 898 Delorm Road, Leicester, VT 05733, or to the Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, 712 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.