Obituary for Marne Bigelow
HUDSON FALLS
Marne Elizabeth (Cook) Bigelow, 72, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born November 14, 1947 in Elbridge, NY, she was the daughter of the late Houston and Winifred (Blauvelt)
Cook.
Marne graduated from Jordan-Elbridge High School in Elbridge, NY and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from
Ohio Northern University and her Master’s Degree from Plattsburgh State University.
On June 20, 1970, she married Gary Dean Bigelow in Elbridge, NY. Gary passed away on March 29, 2003.
Marne began her teaching career as a home economics teacher at Glens Falls High School. She went on to
teach at the BOCES Alternative High School, nursing program, and GED program. She cared for children at St.
Joseph’s School in Fort Edward, and worked as an LPN at Fort Hudson Nursing Home.
Marne was a people person, who enjoyed volunteering her time with numerous organizations. She was a
long-standing president of the Fort Hudson Nursing Home’s Ladies Auxiliary, life-long member of Girl Scouts
of the USA, troop leader and Regional Cookie Manager. Alongside Gary, she was instrumental in the
development of Operation Santa Claus. She belonged to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and hosted children from
the Fresh Air Fund. She worked behind the scenes for the WAIT House fundraiser, “Pizza, Wings, and Baskets
of Things, “ one of her favorite endeavors.
Marne had a love for hot air balloons, and was fortunate enough to check off her bucket list a trip to the
Albuquerque Balloon Festival with her dear friend Sharon Sano.
Left to cherish her memory are her children; Megan Willis and her husband Adam, and their children, Avery
Dean, Addison James, and Ashton Gray, of South Glens Falls; Geoffrey Bigelow and his wife Heather, and
their children, Ella Elizabeth and Amelia Lauren, of Kingsbury; brother James Cook and his wife, Karen, and
their children Walker and Meredith, of Texas; and cousin (who was more like a sister) Elizabeth Thomas of
Syracuse, NY. Marne leaves behind an abounding number of friends whose lives she touched in extraordinary
ways.
At Marne’s request there will be no calling hours.
Graveside Services will be conducted at 11am on Thursday June 25 at Union cemetery, Fort Edward. Please remember to practice social distancing and wear a mask.
Memorial donations in Marne’s memory can be made to Astrazeneca Hope Lodge, 110 West Laurel Ave.,
Cheltenham, PA 19012 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern NY Chapter, Pine West Plaza
Building 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205.
Arrangements are in the care of the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. To
leave online condolences and to view Marne’s Book of Memories, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.
Marne Elizabeth (Cook) Bigelow, 72, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born November 14, 1947 in Elbridge, NY, she was the daughter of the late Houston and Winifred (Blauvelt)
Cook.
Marne graduated from Jordan-Elbridge High School in Elbridge, NY and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from
Ohio Northern University and her Master’s Degree from Plattsburgh State University.
On June 20, 1970, she married Gary Dean Bigelow in Elbridge, NY. Gary passed away on March 29, 2003.
Marne began her teaching career as a home economics teacher at Glens Falls High School. She went on to
teach at the BOCES Alternative High School, nursing program, and GED program. She cared for children at St.
Joseph’s School in Fort Edward, and worked as an LPN at Fort Hudson Nursing Home.
Marne was a people person, who enjoyed volunteering her time with numerous organizations. She was a
long-standing president of the Fort Hudson Nursing Home’s Ladies Auxiliary, life-long member of Girl Scouts
of the USA, troop leader and Regional Cookie Manager. Alongside Gary, she was instrumental in the
development of Operation Santa Claus. She belonged to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and hosted children from
the Fresh Air Fund. She worked behind the scenes for the WAIT House fundraiser, “Pizza, Wings, and Baskets
of Things, “ one of her favorite endeavors.
Marne had a love for hot air balloons, and was fortunate enough to check off her bucket list a trip to the
Albuquerque Balloon Festival with her dear friend Sharon Sano.
Left to cherish her memory are her children; Megan Willis and her husband Adam, and their children, Avery
Dean, Addison James, and Ashton Gray, of South Glens Falls; Geoffrey Bigelow and his wife Heather, and
their children, Ella Elizabeth and Amelia Lauren, of Kingsbury; brother James Cook and his wife, Karen, and
their children Walker and Meredith, of Texas; and cousin (who was more like a sister) Elizabeth Thomas of
Syracuse, NY. Marne leaves behind an abounding number of friends whose lives she touched in extraordinary
ways.
At Marne’s request there will be no calling hours.
Graveside Services will be conducted at 11am on Thursday June 25 at Union cemetery, Fort Edward. Please remember to practice social distancing and wear a mask.
Memorial donations in Marne’s memory can be made to Astrazeneca Hope Lodge, 110 West Laurel Ave.,
Cheltenham, PA 19012 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern NY Chapter, Pine West Plaza
Building 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205.
Arrangements are in the care of the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. To
leave online condolences and to view Marne’s Book of Memories, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.