Nancy S. Bigelow

Nancy Slayton Bigelow passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023. Nancy was born on April 7, 1926 to Wendel and Marjorie Slayton in Chicago, IL. Nancy is preceded in death by her brother Wendel Slayton and husband Robert Bigelow. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Morgan Park High School. She attended University of Colorado Boulder and was an active member of Delta Gamma. She married Robert (Bob) Bigelow in 1947. They lived in Park Forest, IL until 1957 when they moved to Glen Ridge, NJ where they raised their four children. 

Nancy’s legacy will live beyond her 97 years on this earth. Her generosity and gifts were not contained to just her immediate family. Nancy had a deep compassion and dedication for her community. She was an avid philanthropist to organizations large and small. She would always say yes to the small fundraiser down the street while also donating to international causes that she cared deeply about. Her philanthropy and commitment to her community knew no bounds. She only wanted to help make the world a better place, a lens of the world she worked diligently to instill in her children and grandchildren.

She was a devoted member of the Glen Ridge Congregational Church for over 60 years. During her years with the church Nancy was the President of the Women's Association, taught Sunday school and served on a number of missions. Additionally, she dedicated 20 years leading the Suburban Cultural Education Enrichment Program (SCEEP) at GRCC, helping to train volunteers and facilitate the tutoring and enrichment of school children coming in from inner-city Newark. 

Nancy was a feminist before her time. She was an avid League of Women Voters volunteer and worked to support the issues and causes she deeply cared about. She went to night school while raising her four children to get her teaching degree. And at 50 years old she moved to Boston to get her masters degree in education and spent 26 years teaching Kindergarten and First grade. 

She had a fiery, independent spirit and loved to travel. She always said yes to adventure. She was willing to try anything once! After retiring from her teaching career, Nancy traveled endlessly. She explored all seven continents and all 50 states! She continued to seek out adventure and desired to learn more about the world through her travels. When she was home she would often take the bus for a day trip to New York City to see a show, the ballet, or visit one of her many favorite museums. 

Nancy loved her community and her family. She attended every graduation of each of her grandchildren and made diligent efforts to celebrate family milestones. She was also an anchor and support for her family during the untimely deaths of the spouses of three of her children. Nancy was incredible at staying in touch with family and friends both nearby and across the country. She sent thank you cards and holiday cards with care and consistency, letting folks know they were loved and cared for. She never missed an opportunity to take a friend to lunch or drive a church member home after service. 

Nancy leaves behind four children, Ken (the late Rosemary) Bigelow, Carol (the late Woody) Riggs, Jane (the late Kevin) McNally, and Ann (Jim) Bronneck; seven grandchildren, Trip (Tara) Riggs, Maggie (Walker) Bolger, Katie Bigelow, Patrick (Genevieve) McNally, Bob (Liz) McNally, Steven Bigelow, and Laura Bigelow (Kevin Summers); and two great grandchildren, Charlotte and Gretchen Riggs. She also leaves behind a legacy of compassion, love, and resilience in anyone who crossed her path. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit and life lessons shall live on in all of us. 

Memorial Service for Nancy will be held at Glen Ridge Congregational Church 195 Ridgewood Avenue Glen Ridge, NJ on Friday, December 1st at 11am. 

Memorial Gift info

In lieu of flowers you can make a gift in Nancy’s memory to one of her favorite organizations:

The Seeing Eye  

Make a gift online at www.seeingeye.org or send a check at PO Box 375 Morristown, NJ 07963-0375. 

Glen Ridge Congregational Church 

Make a gift online at www.glenridgecong.org/give or send a check at 195 Ridgewood Avenue Glen Ridge, New Jersey 07028.