Carol Jean Bigelow

Carol was born on June 11th, 1956 in Skowhegan to her parents Kenneth and Mary (Chase) Goodridge. Carol was the oldest of 4 siblings; all brothers. As a child, Carol loved playing with her brothers and life- long best friend Kelly Barns, “terrorizing” the neighborhoods of their hometown. Carol started working at A&P (now Hannaford) in June of 1972, at age 16 and continued to work there for 45 years, until her retirement in January 2017 due to her health.

Carol met Hal Bigelow in 1976. On their first date, Carol convinced Hal to have some “chocolate milk,” which ended up being a mud slide, and the rest if history. They would spend the next 40 years together, building their life and home in Skowhegan on Bigelow Hill. In 1986, Carol and Hal had their first child, Sarah, and in 1992 they had a son, Matthew. Carol was extremely involved in her children’s lives, supporting them, encouraging them, occasionally threatening them, but always unconditionally loving them. Carol was widely known for her enthusiasm at her son’s football and basketball games and later on, her son’s college rugby games. Her cheers of encouragement, with the occasional punctuation of profanity, will always be remembered and cherished. Beavah beavah!!!

More than anything in the world, she loved being with her family, particularly at the family camp. Every spare moment Carol had, she spent it at camp; kayaking with her daughter, cooking for her family, reading and doing puzzles. She loved playing games with her children; Yahtzee and Cribbage being her favorite. Carol is most known for her laugh, when you heard her laugh, you couldn’t help but smile and think of her. Her amazing smile and contagious laugh will always be with us.

Carol is survived by her husband, Hal Bigelow, daughter Sarah and her husband Tyler Duran, son Matthew and his girlfriend Karyn Veinotte, brothers Paul Goodridge, Richard Goodridge, his wife Charlene, and Bruce Goodridge.

The Bigelow family would like to express their upmost appreciation and respect to Ginny and Sandy Henry and Renee Worster our wonderful friends. We would like to recognize Carol’s amazing MaineGeneral hospice team; Sandra Bacon and Casie Sanborn. These wonderful ladies kept Carol comfortable throughout her battle with brain cancer and there are no words to express our love and gratitude to you both.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 6, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Immediately following the service there will be a Celebration of Carol’s life and laughter at the Pace Union Hall on Route 201 in Skowhegan. Food will be provided and welcomed.