Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow
1930 ~ 2016
Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow, 85, of Boise, Idaho passed away June 13, 2016. Marj was the daughter of Rudolph and Marjorie (Weirs) Miller and the loving wife of Byron Bigelow, all of whom predeceased her. Marj passed away at Emerson House (a memory care facility in Boise) from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her seven children: Ron (and Ellis) Bigelow, of Menlo Park, CA; Larry (and Pam) Bigelow, of Boise, ID; Linda (and Mike) Hiett, of Prescott, AZ; Tom (and Carla) Bigelow, of Anacortes, WA; Barbara Bigelow, of Arvada, CO; Mark (and Claudine) Bigelow, of Provo, UT; and Sharon (and Joseph) McNeal, of Boise, ID. Twenty-one grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren form the extended family.
Marj was intelligent and hard-working, but perhaps Marj's greatest gifts were her commitment to doing the right thing, her inherent kindness to other people, her deep love of small children, and her absolute commitment to the Golden Rule. One of the phrases most often heard by her children was, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." More important, she did not merely offer that advice as an empty gesture; she lived that advice all the days of her life. She almost never uttered a harsh word. She had a quiet demeanor, but she was quick to offer kindnesses and a ready and genuine smile to anyone she met.
Mom loved everything. While it is said of so many, it was especially true of Marj. Her child-like sense of wonder could be ignited by a butterfly, a rose, a sunset, or a walk along the Boise Greenbelt. Indeed, she was one of the world's great walkers. She could be seen walking daily around her neighborhood, and when inclement weather forced it, she would walk inside the Boise Mall, or do laps in the basement of her home.
Marj was born and raised in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, and she was proud of her family. She loved her father from Switzerland and her mother; all six brothers in Utah, Colorado and California who predeceased her; her seven children spread from Washington to Arizona; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from California to Tennessee.
Marj was a natural when it came to mothering and home-making. She cooked countless delicious family meals, loved playing games and taking her grandchildren to the ice cream parlor, enjoyed spending time in her beautiful yard with Byron, and always kept a beautiful and clean home, where the walls were lined with pictures of her children and grandchildren.
Much of Mom's character seemed innate, but her love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nonetheless played a powerful role in further shaping her character. She had sons on missions in France and Swizerland, Canada, and the Marshall Islands. She married her sweetheart and "good husband, Byron" in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on August 31, 1950. Over the years, Marj helped in many different volunteer positions ("callings") with the LDS church. She loved the children she served in Primary, and the women she served in Relief Society, where she was President for many years. After her children were grown, she worked for the LDS Physical Facilities Department in Boise until her retirement. She worked in the Boise Temple and served on a mission in the Family History Center in Boise with her husband. Nonetheless, the love of the LDS Church did not leave her with an intolerant view, and she reflexively extended her love equally to anyone irrespective of faith, nationality, color, or cultural heritage. She and her husband taught those principles to her children as well. She lived a happy and blessed life because she spent it serving and loving those around her.
She and Byron traveled together often, visiting their children and grandchildren all over the country. They rarely missed a recital, sporting event, or school activity, and made a concerted effort to be an obvious part of their grandchildren's lives. Her unwavering support and unconditional love for all of her family members will always be remembered.
So much of Marj was devoted to others, obvious for the mother of seven. She made new homes in Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver (twice), Grand Junction, Great Falls, Spokane, Yakima and Pocatello – an average of about one every two years – until she made Boise her home for 45 years. She loved Boise dearly.
She lived essentially her entire childhood next door to the man she would later marry, Byron Bigelow. Especially later in life, she loved telling the story of marrying the boy next door. Marj's best childhood friends were Joyce and Dianna Bigelow, the younger sisters of Byron.
She knew the words to many LDS hymns, children's Primary songs, and Disney songs by heart. She often sang them joyfully while going about housework. This heart full of song extended from the early days of her marriage to her final days in her room at Emerson House, near the Boise Greenbelt that she loved so well. She spent nearly the last nine months of her earthly existence among the capable and caring management and staff at Emerson House after moving from her home of 44 years on Redway Road in Boise.
One of the most remarkable things about Marjorie was that even though Alzheimer's was stealing her memories, there was nothing that could change the sweetness of her soul. Because she lived, we lived. Our hearts rejoice in knowing her mind and body are once again whole and she is safe in the arms of her loving husband and her Savior Jesus Christ.
A viewing will be held for Marj on Thursday, June 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise. An additional viewing will be held Friday, June 17, at the LDS Northview chapel at 6711 W. Northview from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. The body will be interred at the Dry Creek Cemetery at 9600 Hill Road immediately following the funeral.
Charitable donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Idaho Inc.
Published in Idaho Statesman from June 16 to June 17, 2016
1930 ~ 2016
Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow, 85, of Boise, Idaho passed away June 13, 2016. Marj was the daughter of Rudolph and Marjorie (Weirs) Miller and the loving wife of Byron Bigelow, all of whom predeceased her. Marj passed away at Emerson House (a memory care facility in Boise) from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her seven children: Ron (and Ellis) Bigelow, of Menlo Park, CA; Larry (and Pam) Bigelow, of Boise, ID; Linda (and Mike) Hiett, of Prescott, AZ; Tom (and Carla) Bigelow, of Anacortes, WA; Barbara Bigelow, of Arvada, CO; Mark (and Claudine) Bigelow, of Provo, UT; and Sharon (and Joseph) McNeal, of Boise, ID. Twenty-one grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren form the extended family.
Marj was intelligent and hard-working, but perhaps Marj's greatest gifts were her commitment to doing the right thing, her inherent kindness to other people, her deep love of small children, and her absolute commitment to the Golden Rule. One of the phrases most often heard by her children was, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." More important, she did not merely offer that advice as an empty gesture; she lived that advice all the days of her life. She almost never uttered a harsh word. She had a quiet demeanor, but she was quick to offer kindnesses and a ready and genuine smile to anyone she met.
Mom loved everything. While it is said of so many, it was especially true of Marj. Her child-like sense of wonder could be ignited by a butterfly, a rose, a sunset, or a walk along the Boise Greenbelt. Indeed, she was one of the world's great walkers. She could be seen walking daily around her neighborhood, and when inclement weather forced it, she would walk inside the Boise Mall, or do laps in the basement of her home.
Marj was born and raised in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, and she was proud of her family. She loved her father from Switzerland and her mother; all six brothers in Utah, Colorado and California who predeceased her; her seven children spread from Washington to Arizona; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from California to Tennessee.
Marj was a natural when it came to mothering and home-making. She cooked countless delicious family meals, loved playing games and taking her grandchildren to the ice cream parlor, enjoyed spending time in her beautiful yard with Byron, and always kept a beautiful and clean home, where the walls were lined with pictures of her children and grandchildren.
Much of Mom's character seemed innate, but her love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nonetheless played a powerful role in further shaping her character. She had sons on missions in France and Swizerland, Canada, and the Marshall Islands. She married her sweetheart and "good husband, Byron" in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on August 31, 1950. Over the years, Marj helped in many different volunteer positions ("callings") with the LDS church. She loved the children she served in Primary, and the women she served in Relief Society, where she was President for many years. After her children were grown, she worked for the LDS Physical Facilities Department in Boise until her retirement. She worked in the Boise Temple and served on a mission in the Family History Center in Boise with her husband. Nonetheless, the love of the LDS Church did not leave her with an intolerant view, and she reflexively extended her love equally to anyone irrespective of faith, nationality, color, or cultural heritage. She and her husband taught those principles to her children as well. She lived a happy and blessed life because she spent it serving and loving those around her.
She and Byron traveled together often, visiting their children and grandchildren all over the country. They rarely missed a recital, sporting event, or school activity, and made a concerted effort to be an obvious part of their grandchildren's lives. Her unwavering support and unconditional love for all of her family members will always be remembered.
So much of Marj was devoted to others, obvious for the mother of seven. She made new homes in Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver (twice), Grand Junction, Great Falls, Spokane, Yakima and Pocatello – an average of about one every two years – until she made Boise her home for 45 years. She loved Boise dearly.
She lived essentially her entire childhood next door to the man she would later marry, Byron Bigelow. Especially later in life, she loved telling the story of marrying the boy next door. Marj's best childhood friends were Joyce and Dianna Bigelow, the younger sisters of Byron.
She knew the words to many LDS hymns, children's Primary songs, and Disney songs by heart. She often sang them joyfully while going about housework. This heart full of song extended from the early days of her marriage to her final days in her room at Emerson House, near the Boise Greenbelt that she loved so well. She spent nearly the last nine months of her earthly existence among the capable and caring management and staff at Emerson House after moving from her home of 44 years on Redway Road in Boise.
One of the most remarkable things about Marjorie was that even though Alzheimer's was stealing her memories, there was nothing that could change the sweetness of her soul. Because she lived, we lived. Our hearts rejoice in knowing her mind and body are once again whole and she is safe in the arms of her loving husband and her Savior Jesus Christ.
A viewing will be held for Marj on Thursday, June 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise. An additional viewing will be held Friday, June 17, at the LDS Northview chapel at 6711 W. Northview from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. The body will be interred at the Dry Creek Cemetery at 9600 Hill Road immediately following the funeral.
Charitable donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Idaho Inc.
Published in Idaho Statesman from June 16 to June 17, 2016
Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow
1930 ~ 2016
Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow, 85, of Boise, Idaho passed away June 13, 2016. Marj was the daughter of Rudolph and Marjorie (Weirs) Miller and the loving wife of Byron Bigelow, all of whom predeceased her. Marj passed away at Emerson House (a memory care facility in Boise) from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her seven children: Ron (and Ellis) Bigelow, of Menlo Park, CA; Larry (and Pam) Bigelow, of Boise, ID; Linda (and Mike) Hiett, of Prescott, AZ; Tom (and Carla) Bigelow, of Anacortes, WA; Barbara Bigelow, of Arvada, CO; Mark (and Claudine) Bigelow, of Provo, UT; and Sharon (and Joseph) McNeal, of Boise, ID. Twenty-one grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren form the extended family.
Marj was intelligent and hard-working, but perhaps Marj's greatest gifts were her commitment to doing the right thing, her inherent kindness to other people, her deep love of small children, and her absolute commitment to the Golden Rule. One of the phrases most often heard by her children was, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." More important, she did not merely offer that advice as an empty gesture; she lived that advice all the days of her life. She almost never uttered a harsh word. She had a quiet demeanor, but she was quick to offer kindnesses and a ready and genuine smile to anyone she met.
Mom loved everything. While it is said of so many, it was especially true of Marj. Her child-like sense of wonder could be ignited by a butterfly, a rose, a sunset, or a walk along the Boise Greenbelt. Indeed, she was one of the world's great walkers. She could be seen walking daily around her neighborhood, and when inclement weather forced it, she would walk inside the Boise Mall, or do laps in the basement of her home.
Marj was born and raised in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, and she was proud of her family. She loved her father from Switzerland and her mother; all six brothers in Utah, Colorado and California who predeceased her; her seven children spread from Washington to Arizona; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from California to Tennessee.
Marj was a natural when it came to mothering and home-making. She cooked countless delicious family meals, loved playing games and taking her grandchildren to the ice cream parlor, enjoyed spending time in her beautiful yard with Byron, and always kept a beautiful and clean home, where the walls were lined with pictures of her children and grandchildren.
Much of Mom's character seemed innate, but her love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nonetheless played a powerful role in further shaping her character. She had sons on missions in France and Swizerland, Canada, and the Marshall Islands. She married her sweetheart and "good husband, Byron" in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on August 31, 1950. Over the years, Marj helped in many different volunteer positions ("callings") with the LDS church. She loved the children she served in Primary, and the women she served in Relief Society, where she was President for many years. After her children were grown, she worked for the LDS Physical Facilities Department in Boise until her retirement. She worked in the Boise Temple and served on a mission in the Family History Center in Boise with her husband. Nonetheless, the love of the LDS Church did not leave her with an intolerant view, and she reflexively extended her love equally to anyone irrespective of faith, nationality, color, or cultural heritage. She and her husband taught those principles to her children as well. She lived a happy and blessed life because she spent it serving and loving those around her.
She and Byron traveled together often, visiting their children and grandchildren all over the country. They rarely missed a recital, sporting event, or school activity, and made a concerted effort to be an obvious part of their grandchildren's lives. Her unwavering support and unconditional love for all of her family members will always be remembered.
So much of Marj was devoted to others, obvious for the mother of seven. She made new homes in Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver (twice), Grand Junction, Great Falls, Spokane, Yakima and Pocatello – an average of about one every two years – until she made Boise her home for 45 years. She loved Boise dearly.
She lived essentially her entire childhood next door to the man she would later marry, Byron Bigelow. Especially later in life, she loved telling the story of marrying the boy next door. Marj's best childhood friends were Joyce and Dianna Bigelow, the younger sisters of Byron.
She knew the words to many LDS hymns, children's Primary songs, and Disney songs by heart. She often sang them joyfully while going about housework. This heart full of song extended from the early days of her marriage to her final days in her room at Emerson House, near the Boise Greenbelt that she loved so well. She spent nearly the last nine months of her earthly existence among the capable and caring management and staff at Emerson House after moving from her home of 44 years on Redway Road in Boise.
One of the most remarkable things about Marjorie was that even though Alzheimer's was stealing her memories, there was nothing that could change the sweetness of her soul. Because she lived, we lived. Our hearts rejoice in knowing her mind and body are once again whole and she is safe in the arms of her loving husband and her Savior Jesus Christ.
A viewing will be held for Marj on Thursday, June 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise. An additional viewing will be held Friday, June 17, at the LDS Northview chapel at 6711 W. Northview from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. The body will be interred at the Dry Creek Cemetery at 9600 Hill Road immediately following the funeral.
Charitable donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Idaho Inc.
Published in Idaho Statesman from June 16 to June 17, 2016
1930 ~ 2016
Marjorie Elizabeth Miller Bigelow, 85, of Boise, Idaho passed away June 13, 2016. Marj was the daughter of Rudolph and Marjorie (Weirs) Miller and the loving wife of Byron Bigelow, all of whom predeceased her. Marj passed away at Emerson House (a memory care facility in Boise) from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her seven children: Ron (and Ellis) Bigelow, of Menlo Park, CA; Larry (and Pam) Bigelow, of Boise, ID; Linda (and Mike) Hiett, of Prescott, AZ; Tom (and Carla) Bigelow, of Anacortes, WA; Barbara Bigelow, of Arvada, CO; Mark (and Claudine) Bigelow, of Provo, UT; and Sharon (and Joseph) McNeal, of Boise, ID. Twenty-one grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren form the extended family.
Marj was intelligent and hard-working, but perhaps Marj's greatest gifts were her commitment to doing the right thing, her inherent kindness to other people, her deep love of small children, and her absolute commitment to the Golden Rule. One of the phrases most often heard by her children was, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." More important, she did not merely offer that advice as an empty gesture; she lived that advice all the days of her life. She almost never uttered a harsh word. She had a quiet demeanor, but she was quick to offer kindnesses and a ready and genuine smile to anyone she met.
Mom loved everything. While it is said of so many, it was especially true of Marj. Her child-like sense of wonder could be ignited by a butterfly, a rose, a sunset, or a walk along the Boise Greenbelt. Indeed, she was one of the world's great walkers. She could be seen walking daily around her neighborhood, and when inclement weather forced it, she would walk inside the Boise Mall, or do laps in the basement of her home.
Marj was born and raised in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, and she was proud of her family. She loved her father from Switzerland and her mother; all six brothers in Utah, Colorado and California who predeceased her; her seven children spread from Washington to Arizona; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from California to Tennessee.
Marj was a natural when it came to mothering and home-making. She cooked countless delicious family meals, loved playing games and taking her grandchildren to the ice cream parlor, enjoyed spending time in her beautiful yard with Byron, and always kept a beautiful and clean home, where the walls were lined with pictures of her children and grandchildren.
Much of Mom's character seemed innate, but her love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nonetheless played a powerful role in further shaping her character. She had sons on missions in France and Swizerland, Canada, and the Marshall Islands. She married her sweetheart and "good husband, Byron" in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on August 31, 1950. Over the years, Marj helped in many different volunteer positions ("callings") with the LDS church. She loved the children she served in Primary, and the women she served in Relief Society, where she was President for many years. After her children were grown, she worked for the LDS Physical Facilities Department in Boise until her retirement. She worked in the Boise Temple and served on a mission in the Family History Center in Boise with her husband. Nonetheless, the love of the LDS Church did not leave her with an intolerant view, and she reflexively extended her love equally to anyone irrespective of faith, nationality, color, or cultural heritage. She and her husband taught those principles to her children as well. She lived a happy and blessed life because she spent it serving and loving those around her.
She and Byron traveled together often, visiting their children and grandchildren all over the country. They rarely missed a recital, sporting event, or school activity, and made a concerted effort to be an obvious part of their grandchildren's lives. Her unwavering support and unconditional love for all of her family members will always be remembered.
So much of Marj was devoted to others, obvious for the mother of seven. She made new homes in Salt Lake City, Boise, Denver (twice), Grand Junction, Great Falls, Spokane, Yakima and Pocatello – an average of about one every two years – until she made Boise her home for 45 years. She loved Boise dearly.
She lived essentially her entire childhood next door to the man she would later marry, Byron Bigelow. Especially later in life, she loved telling the story of marrying the boy next door. Marj's best childhood friends were Joyce and Dianna Bigelow, the younger sisters of Byron.
She knew the words to many LDS hymns, children's Primary songs, and Disney songs by heart. She often sang them joyfully while going about housework. This heart full of song extended from the early days of her marriage to her final days in her room at Emerson House, near the Boise Greenbelt that she loved so well. She spent nearly the last nine months of her earthly existence among the capable and caring management and staff at Emerson House after moving from her home of 44 years on Redway Road in Boise.
One of the most remarkable things about Marjorie was that even though Alzheimer's was stealing her memories, there was nothing that could change the sweetness of her soul. Because she lived, we lived. Our hearts rejoice in knowing her mind and body are once again whole and she is safe in the arms of her loving husband and her Savior Jesus Christ.
A viewing will be held for Marj on Thursday, June 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N. Latah St., Boise. An additional viewing will be held Friday, June 17, at the LDS Northview chapel at 6711 W. Northview from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. The body will be interred at the Dry Creek Cemetery at 9600 Hill Road immediately following the funeral.
Charitable donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Idaho Inc.
Published in Idaho Statesman from June 16 to June 17, 2016
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