BIGELOW, Mollie Zelma

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ July 16, 2009 Mollie Zelma (McDaniel) Bigelow, 92, of Bloomfield, N.M., died Monday, July 13, 2009, after a long and full life. Mrs. Bigelow was born March 31, 1917, in the original Hammond, N.M., settlement to David and Lillian McDaniel. It was there she went to school and learned to love the animals of the "McDaniel Ranch." Her attachment to animals remained with her throughout life. She married D. Wilford Bigelow March 30, 1935, and moved to Eagar. Her first two children died in infancy. But her next two, whom she called her "boys," and an adopted daughter became her lifetime family. She and her family moved to Morenci in 1943, where Wilford worked for Phillips Dodge Copper as part of the wartime defense industry. In 1953 the family returned to Mollie's beloved San Juan River and Hammond area and remained for the rest of her life. She was a active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her husband, Wilford, and two children, David Hulen and Valora, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Wilbur (Wil) Bigelow of South Jordan, Utah, Arthur (Art) Bigelow of Galt, Calif., and Jeanene Bigelow Jaramillo of Farmington, N.M.; sister Ramona (Jean) Gathings of Aztec, N.M.; 12 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Eagar. Burial will be at Eagar City Cemetery. Send condolences to the family at www.danielsfuneral.com.