Patricia Bigelow

Patricia G. Bigelow, 84, of Akron, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on September 25, 2025, surrounded by her devoted husband and children.

Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Pat moved to Akron as a child, and graduated from Garfield High School. She and her husband, Douglas, enjoyed 65 years of marriage, raising five children in Peninsula, before moving to Bath.

Pat dedicated herself to her family, her faith, and her community. Known for her warmth, unshakable optimism, and Sunday dinner tradition, she found joy in serving her family, creating a loving home, and celebrating life's blessings with family and friends.

In 1974, she joined her husband in the daily operation of their car dealership, a devoted partnership until they sold the business in 2018. In Peninsula, she gave wholeheartedly of her time as a Sunday school teacher, a room mother, for the 4H, and UNICEF. In Akron, her dedication continued through WITAN, Akron Children's Hospital, as a lifelong blood donor for the Red Cross, and numerous other charitable organizations. She actively participated in St. Hilary Parish and the RCIA program after joining the church in 2003.

Gardening, needlecrafts, ceramics and travel were all interests she passed down to her children. Pat and Doug enjoyed worldwide travel through their business and too many family trips to count. Fond memories include early years spent on Mackie Lake teaching her kids to water ski, snow skiing trips to Montana, 25 years of annual "Girls Weekends" with her daughters, and time spent in the Florida sunshine with children and grandchildren.

Pat was a perpetual optimist and found the good in all things. When asked how she was, her response invariably was, "Perfect!" She will forever be remembered for the large silver bell she wore from Thanksgiving through Christmas to bring cheerful greetings to all.

She is survived by her husband Doug, their children Tracie (Bruce) Baumgardner, Ginger (Daniel) Marchetta, Cheryl (Patrick) Dunphy, Kip (Tracy) Bigelow, and Abbe (Don) Kennis, as well as nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two cherished sisters, and many relatives and friends who will treasure her memory. The family is also grateful to her caregivers, who brought great comfort to her through the past five years.

Visitation will be held at Hummel Funeral Home, 2800 W. Market St., Fairlawn, on Sunday, October 5th from 1-4pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, on Monday, October 6th at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WITAN Endowment Fund at Akron Community Foundation, 345 West Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307.