Obituary of Elizabeth J. Bigham

Elizabeth Jane Bigham, nee Moore, known as Betty, passed away, August 31, 2018 at home quietly in her sleep. She was 89. Betty was a resident of Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD, where she had lived since January 2018. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 62 years, Harry James Bigham.

Betty was born in 1928, in Conshocken, PA, a sleepy little mill town on the banks of the Schuylkill River. An intelligent young woman, Betty was valedictorian of her class at St. Matthews Catholic High School, and continued to be a devout Catholic throughout her life. After working towards the WWII effort making rations, she married a veteran of that war. Her husband’s career took her to Falls Church, VA, Dix Hills, NY, Lancaster, PA and to ultimately retire in Annapolis, MD and Jupiter, FL. Curious and creative, she always pursued some form of education, employment or travel. She also encouraged higher education for her children and all six are college educated, many with advanced degrees. She and Harry travelled the world and no trip was too far or too exotic. Betty was also a talented artist and became intrigued by politics. She truly felt she made a difference while working for the Maryland General Assembly from 1983-1987. 

Betty is pre-deceased by her parents Jane Veronica Moore (nee Ryan) and Michael Francis Moore and brothers Donald Moore, Michael Moore and Joseph Moore. She is survived by a brother, Maurice Moore. She is survived by six children: Dr. William J. Bigham (USN retired); Dr. Harry J. Bigham Jr.; Michael F. Bigham; Janet Bigham Bernstel; Brian J. Bigham and Jeanne Bigham Aman. She leaves behind thirteen beautiful, devoted grandchildren; William Bigham; Caitlin Bigham, Emily Bigham; Michael Bigham; Julie Bigham; Grace Bigham; Cabot Bigham; Beatrice Bigham; Marissa Bernstel; Connor Bernstel; Oliver Aman; Bridget Aman; and Tess Aman. She also leaves behind a devoted son-in-law Maurice Bernstel; and three beloved daughters-in-law; Patti Bigham; Dr. Anne Savarese; and Linda Bigham. Sadly, a fourteenth grandchild Charlotte Bigham preceded her grandmother in death.

A viewing will be held this Friday, September 7, 2018 at 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD.

Betty’s final resting place will be in a family plot in Conshohocken, PA, the town where Harry and Betty first began raising their family, and the ancestral home of the extended family of Betty "Moore" Bigham. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 12:45pm at the St. Matthews Cemetery in Conshohocken, PA.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Suburban Hospital Foundation as a tribute to Elizabeth (Betty) Bigham. She was cured of cancer there ~ 20 years ago. https://donate.suburbanhospital.org