国产传媒

Eileen (Murphy) Bigelow ’65 was born in Buffalo, New York, the second of seven children. She attended Mount Saint Mary's and majored in Latin. “Eileen's love for life, her energy and exuberance were boundless,” says classmate Vivien LoPizzo ’65, ’73. “Her kindness, compassion and generosity were well known. A recurring theme when we were students at the Mount was her joy at being a part of her large family and excitement at the thought of having her own family one day.”

During her senior year, Eileen’s father asked her to show his college roommate’s son around Los Angeles. That favor blossomed into a romance. “Eileen had met her soulmate — Brien Bigelow,” says LoPizzo, “a man as compassionate, energetic, caring and family-oriented as she was.” The couple married a few months after her Commencement ceremony.

The couple and their six children settled in the community of Friendly Hills in Whittier, California. The two eventually created National Hospital Packaging, a hospital supply business, where they worked together for many years before leaving it to the stewardship of their daughter Kathryn.

A major supporter of Whittier Public Libraries, Bigelow served on its board and provided financial support for many years. The Mount was also a beneficiary of the Bigelows’ generosity, which she continued after Brien passed away in 2017. They provided both expendable and endowed scholarships to countless students, supported the Wellness Pavilion, backed numerous special events such as the 2019 “Around the World in 80 Days” gala, and initiatives as varied as assistance for Chalon students following the Getty fire and supplying candy for the community Halloween event at the Doheny Campus.

Bigelow was actively involved in the Mount’s Alumnae Association and served as its president. She and Brien also served on the Regents Council from 2008; she served as co-chair from ‘08-‘20 and was still a member at the time of her passing. Paula Meichtry ‘66, current co-chair of the Regents Council, knew Bigelow in passing while they were both students but became close friends in later years. “We not only discussed the Mount, but family, travels, food, dogs, politics, religion, and the love of her life, Brien,” says Meichtry. “Eileen was full of life, energy, ideas, laughter and always giving of herself. She had strong opinions and beliefs and did not hold back in expressing them, which I enjoyed. I respected her truthfulness, honesty, integrity, kindness and friendship. A strong woman — a woman of valor! She leaves a big hole in our hearts.”

Bigelow was a pianist, theater/symphony devotee and supporter, avid reader and world traveler. She took many trips with her children and grandchildren, but the highlight most certainly was an all-family trip to Ireland (that is, their six children, their partners and grandchildren) in 2015 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

 

Note: A version of this article first appeared in the spring 2023 issue of Mount Magazine