Joan Turnburke Bigelow

BIGELOW, Joan Turnburke of Dunedin, passed away peacefully following an unexpected illness on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. Joan was born in Clearwater, on Christmas Day, 1932. She graduated from Clearwater High School in 1950. Following graduation from Stephens College in Missouri, she moved to New York City and became an internationally renowned model for Eileen Ford, appearing in many popular fashion magazines and other publications. After rounding-out her modeling career in Paris, she traveled to Africa and Egypt before returning to New York where she worked as a casting director for a brief time before meeting E.R. "Dick" Bigelow of New York. They were married on April 19, 1960 at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clearwater and took up residence in Denver, CO, where she lived for more than 20 years. Joan returned to Clearwater in 1981, was a member of the Carlouel Club and served with the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in numerous capacities, including acting as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Her mother, Alyce Jensen Turnburke, father, Harry Milton Turnburke and brother, George Milton Turnburke, preceded her in death. Joan is survived by her only daughter, Bettina Bigelow of Steamboat Springs, CO, and her brother Paul Turnburke of Nederland, CO. Her extended family includes cousin Lynn, niece Jane, sister-in-law Janet, niece Elizabeth, nephew Bob, niece Cathlene Turnburke Cline, great-niece Nikki Cline, niece Kathy Tucker, son-out-law Neal Palmer and the love of her life and Maestro, Milenko Banovich. Joan had a passion for traveling and spending happy times with friends and family. She maintained her membership with the Social Register Association, loved art, classical music, jazz and opera and enlightened many by sharing her lessons and knowledge with others, especially children. She leaves behind memories of her grace, elegance, compassion, and guidance, always accompanied by her special "sparkle". Joan's life was truly a gift, and she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. A funeral service will be held at the Church of the Ascension on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 3 pm, followed by a celebration of Joan's life at the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that, in honor of Joan's many gifts, contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choosing.