Mary McKenna Bigler

Mary McKenna Bigler (Mollie) died on November 1, 2021, due to heart failure. Born in Buffalo, New York on March 4, 1935, she was 86 years old. Mollie spent her childhood and young adult life in Buffalo, surrounded by her parents, Mary and Thomas McKenna, sister, Eleanor McKenna Horton, aunts, and grandparents. She attended Buffalo Seminary for high school and graduated with a BA in English from Goucher College in 1956. That June she married Benjamin Y. Bigler, Jr. in a small ceremony at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. They were married for 65 years. After many years and homes elsewhere, she and Ben returned to Williamsburg for the third time as the final stop of their busy lives. It was a full circle, beginning and ending in Williamsburg.

Mollie was proud to share that she was a mother first and took exceptional pride in the four daughters she and Ben raised. Amidst all this, Mollie navigated twelve moves, mainly in New England, and in all these locations, she created a home filled with love, laughter, and support. She was an avid reader, and during her later years, was able to stay connected with friends and family through her Kindle Fire. In fact, it was believed she could rule her world with a scroll through a website. Mollie stayed current with world events and, most importantly, she stayed in tune with each of her four daughters' lives. Mollie created family traditions that were beautiful and meaningful. She had a way of making everything special. One of her true joys in life was spending time with her four grandchildren. She valued and respected each for their unique perspectives and accomplishments. Mollie also loved the ocean. Her favorite time was dusk as the beach cleared out and she was left with her book, her family, and the sound of the waves hitting the sand. Topping it off was returning to the beach rental for lobster rolls and a whiskey sour garnished with a maraschino cherry. She always said the waves, sand, and sunshine were her oasis from the hectic schedules of a busy household.

Mollie is survived by her husband, Ben, and their four daughters, Anne Bigler, Susan Bigler, Betsy Sullivan, and Mary Callanan. She is survived by three sons-in-law Jerry Amari, Larry Sullivan, and Patrick Callanan. She is survived by her treasured grandchildren, Will and Nell Amari, Ben Callanan, and Matt Sullivan. She is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Horton, her cousin Henry May, and her niece and nephew, Lynn and Randy Horton. She was predeceased by her parents and cousin, Jamie May.

As her family celebrates her life, it will be complete with the love she instilled, the laughter she appreciated, and a sense of accomplishment that focused on kindness toward others. When the sun sets a glow on the sand and the ocean water shimmers, just know it is Mollie who shines down on us all.

A memorial service will take place on December 29th at 12:30 p.m. at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Bruton Parish Episcopal Church https://www.brutonparish.org or mail to Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, PO Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187.