Marilyn "Lynn" Bigler

Marilyn Carol Ray Bigler, known to you as Lynn R. Bigler, passed into heaven on December 26, was born November 15, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up there, daughter of Jean and Merlin Ray.Lynn graduated from Shaw High School, Bowling Green State University with a BS in Education, and the University of Maryland with a Masters in Secondary School Counseling.She is a member of the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority.She is survived by her husband of 59 years, William E. Bigler, Jr.; daughter Janis Merle Bigler Houlihan and her husband Martin Mark Houlihan now of Davidson, NC; son Jason William Bigler and his wife Laura Gay Bigler now of Dacula, GA; and four grandchildren: Kacey Leigh and John “Jack” William Houlihan, Anna Marie and Haley Elizabeth Jones. Upon her graduation from BGSU, Lynn returned to Cleveland to begin her teaching career.But by midsummer, the family was packing for a 14-day relocation trip from NYC to Santos, Brazil, where her dad helped set up a new company.Lynn spent nine months teaching at the American School in Sao Paulo while her mother learned Portuguese.In July, she returned to Cleveland to prepare for the teaching position she gave up when she left for Brazil.She met Bill Bigler in December 1957 on a blind date in Cleveland.Eight months later, they were married and moved to Maryland where Lynn taught in middle schools while working towards her Masters at the University of Maryland. Lynn worked at Buck Lodge Junior High serving as both an English and Social Studies teacher.She later served as a counselor at Beltsville Junior High.In August of 1967 Lynn and Bill welcomed their first child and then they moved to Potomac, Maryland in 1968 where they built their first home.They lived in Potomac for 26 years before retiring to South Carolina in 1993 where they discovered their love of the theatre. Lynn and Bill raised two beautiful children, Janis Merle Bigler Houlihan (1967) and Jason William Bigler (1971); who, in turn blessed them with four beautiful grandchildren:Kacey Leigh Houlihan (16), John “Jack” William Houlihan (13), Haley Elizabeth Jones (10), and Anna Marie Jones (6). Lynn has had six great Loves in her life: her husband Bill of 59 years; her churches (Potomac Presbyterian Church [25 yrs.] and Lake Murray Presbyterian Church [22 yrs.]), bird watching, gardening, crafting and sewing.In both churches she was instrumental in organizing fundraising activities, recruiting volunteers and managing the ongoing efforts for the church’s mission work, as well as serving as Church Historian for both churches.Most recently, Lynn led the “Crafty Ladies” who volunteer at LMPC on how to make beautiful handmade fundraising items to sell at holiday bazaars.She also organized and managed the annual rummage sales.In addition, Lynn served as a Girl Scout Troop leader for several years. In 1976, the Bicentennial, Lynn sewed black vests for 24 Elders and Deacons at PPC to wear during a special Bicentennial church service commemorating our country’s independence.In addition, she also sewed George and Martha Washington costumes (for Lynn and Bill to wear) as well as costumes for their children. Together with her children and Bill, Lynn camped all over the East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys.A favorite campground that we returned to year and year was Maddox Family Campground on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.After the children left the nest, Lynn and Bill began to do more extensive travel in the countries of Western Europe and sailing in the Caribbean. Lynn’s life was one filled with love, family, pets, adventure, travel, churches, dear friends, and wonderful neighbors.Her gifts were many and lovingly shared with all those who knew her.Her happy spirit will live on in each one of us. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church 2721 Dutch Fork Rd, Chapin, SC 29036. Family will greet friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, 2721 Dutch Fork Road, Chapin, SC, 29036