Barbara Jean Bigby

1941 - 2021

Barbara Jean Bigby

June 8, 1941 - December 1, 2021

Barbara Jean Bigby was born June 8, 1941 to Cora Longfox and Calvin Bigby in Harlem, Montana. She was raised by her father, Calvin who was a decorated WWII Veteran on the Fort Belknap Reservation. She loved her father immensely and was incredibly proud of her Native American heritage. She would often talk of the great and loving man she had the honor to call her father.

She gave birth to her first child, Cheryl Sandoval (Storey) in June of 1955, followed by David Sandoval, Joseph Sandoval and Cora Sandoval (Armstrong). She struggled being a young mother but worked hard to provide for her children, even working hard manual labor jobs normally held by men. She remarried and gave birth to Shane White and Thane White. Her life was marred by tragedy when she lost her youngest son, Thane at the age of 11 to illness. She buried 5 of her six children by the time of her death. She loved all her children greatly, although she often struggled to express it.

Barb moved to Spokane, Washington in 1987. She was an excellent cook and would often sing Patsy Cline songs as she worked away in the kitchen. She found prodigious strength through scripture and was a devout Jehovah's Whitness for over 60 years. Her religion was an important part of her life and made many life-time friends through her congregation. She took her faithful furry companion Piper everywhere and pampered him greatly. Despite living in Spokane for over 30 years, she always considered Montana her true home.

Barb is survived by her only remaining child, David Sandoval who was by her side when she passed away on December 1, 2021 due to COVID at Cheney Care Center in Washington. She had 16 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Family was an important part of her life and she treasured all her time spent with her many grandchildren.

Memorial Service and interment of ashes will take place at Sunset Cemetery in Anaconda on August 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.