Gloria Bigelow
GWINN, MI. – Gloria Jane Bigelow, 80, of Gwinn, died peacefully Sunday evening, March 29, 2020 at her home, surrounded by family and under the care of UP Home Health & Hospice. 
She was born October 11, 1939, in Allentown, PA, the only child of Joseph and Martha (Lucas) Haas. She attended Our Lady Help of Christians Grade School and graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1957.
Following graduation, she was hired by the catholic school to serve in the Central Office as a secretary and worked there until 1961 when she married David Bigelow and raised three children.
Gloria resided in Louisville, KY and Indianapolis, IN until 1967 when she moved to Gwinn and had resided there since.
She was employed by the Gwinn Area Community Schools as an administrative assistant beginning in 1971 until her retirement in June of 1999.
Gloria served on the Gwinn School Board of Education from 2003 to 2015. She served as Secretary and Board President for two years. She was a member, membership chairperson and treasurer for the Forsyth Township Historical Society, the President of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, St. Anthony Catholic Church and their Altar Society, Gwinn Study Club, UP Field Archery Association, Buckskin Bowmen and was a supporter of UPAWS.
She enjoyed traveling, attending auctions, spending time with her children and grandchildren and she loved her dogs.
Gloria is survived by three children, Michael (Susie) Bigelow of North Muskegon, MI, Jessica Flinn of Gwinn and John (Susan) Bigelow of Charlestown, IN; 11 grandchildren, Amanda Flinn of Greenwood, IN, Brandi Flinn in the US Coast Guard, Erik Flinn of Marquette, Alex Flinn of Gwinn, Suzann Bigelow of Northville, MI, Sarah Bigelow of West Lafayette, IN, Olivia Bigelow of Auburn Hills, MI, Bryan Bigelow of North Muskegon, MI, David (Kelsey) Bigelow of Henryville, IN, Kaleighla Bigelow and Grace Bigelow, both of Charlestown, IN; great-grandchild, Samuel Bigelow of Henryville, IN; and her constant companion dog, Charlie. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husband, and fiancÈ Allen Ahola.
Gloria’s final wishes were to have a Funeral Mass which will be celebrated at St. Anthony Catholic Church in the future and will be announced as government restrictions are lifted. Burial will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to UPAWS, PO Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855.
The Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com