CAPE ELIZABETH – Edith L. Bigelow, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on New Year’s Day at Scarborough Terrace at the age of 95. She was the daughter of George C. and Carrie S. Libby and was born on Feb. 24, 1928, in Portland. She attended Butler Grammar School and was a proud member of the Portland High School class of 1946. She loved growing up on the West End, and never realized until she was twelve that her future husband was growing up just one street away! After two years at Westbrook Junior College she transferred to and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1950 with a degree in English.

Edith married her high school sweetheart, Elwood “Woody” Bigelow in 1953 after his return from Korea. They raised two daughters, Deborah Casey (John) and Wendy Tait (Bryon) in Bangor, Maine, and then Cape Elizabeth. She worked for the ‘telephone company’ after graduating from UMO, and after raising her family, eventually worked for many years at the Portland Press Herald in the display advertising department, while Woody was a copy editor there.

An accomplished classical pianist, she played solo at her PHS graduation and continued to play her entire life, even entertaining the staff and residents at Scarborough Terrace. She was fond of practicing her French whenever she could, and read avidly, especially historical fiction. She was very proud of her Libby and Loveitt heritages and continued that interest her entire life. Probably because of Woody, she was a true Red Sox fan and followed them every season. Keeping up with the news of the day was important to her, and she remained politically astute her entire life. After retiring, she and Woody traveled to Europe several times, as well as to the Caribbean and the western and Pacific northwestern parts of the U.S. In her younger years, she knit beautifully and stayed physically active by swimming, walking their dog, and cross country skiing. She and Woody played bridge with friends for many years. She had a sharp wit and never lacked for an opinion! A member of the First Congregational Church in South Portland, she attended for many years, and continued her curiosity about spiritual matters until her passing.

Edith will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her children, her granddaughter, Courtney Gardiner (David) and their children Everly and Theo, her grandson Conor Casey (Jessica) and their son Sean E., and her grandson Justin Tait (Krysten) and their children Charlotte and Wesley, all of Cape Elizabeth, and a nephew, Haddon Libby of La Quinta California. She was predeceased by her husband, Woody, her brother, Winslow Libby, and grandson Sean M. Casey.

Edith’s family will be forever grateful for the loving care she received during her time at Scarborough Terrace, and want to especially thank Sarah O’S., Doug, Crystal, Sarah, Jackie, Cierra, Lisa and Whitney for their professionalism and compassion, as well as Compassus Hospice. Her family wants to thank the Unit D staff at St. Joseph’s Manor for all of their dedication as well. We are also indebted to her Brentwood neighbors, Kevin Stack and Tim and Denise Mitchell in particular for keeping an eye on her over the years.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and leave a tribute in Edith’s memory.

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