A longtime Prince George union leader and community advocate is being remembered for her wisdom and compassion.
Janet Bigelow was only 57 years old when she succumbed to cancer on Aug. 11. She was in the prime of her professional powers, said the leader who filled her vacancy as president of CUPE Local 1048.
"I'm very much going to miss her counsel," said Kelly Boudreau. "She was an important sounding board for me as second vice, first vice, acting-president and even now as president because she wasn't well and had to step away. Always, she stayed involved, stayed informed and kept giving me sound advice throughout. Even when she was sick, she was striving to help her union and make sure I was doing the best job I could."
Bigelow was first elected president of the local in 2011 and Boudreau believed she would still be in the position were it not for the severity of her illness.
Ravneet Dhillon worked with Bigelow at the City Hall service counter for almost 10 years and she agreed that Bigelow was bigger than life.
"Janet is the one who made me an activist, actually," said Dhillon. "She saw the potential in me, showed me ways to advance myself, career development, community involvement - she brought me to that level and I miss her so much."
Dhillon said Bigelow's personal slogan was "winners don't quit and quitters don't win" and she was always pushing to make life better for her community. Some people can appear shrill or belligerent in that line of advocacy but Dhillon and Boudreau both drew on Bigelow's positive attitude and supportive disposition.
"I think she just felt at home in any situation," said Boudreau. "It didn't matter if it was a public presentation, or a tough negotiation, or a social setting, she was always one to have frank discussions, get right to the point, and always wear her personality on her sleeve. She was personable, very caring, genuine, and people gravitated to her. People tend to see through phoniness and she just had none of that."
Provincial CUPE positions, provincial and federal election campaigns, municipal politics behind the scenes, community charities, and a strong circle of loved ones were all roles Bigelow took on with zest. She had a strong capacity to work and inspire the work in others.
"She was a force and a spirit that must be acknowledged and celebrated," said longtime friend and city councillor Terri McConnachie.
Another friend, Tara Mayes, set up a crowdsourcing account to get some support funds for Bigelow's husband Bob as he took on the financial stress of the large amounts of money it takes to combat acute myeloid leukemia. The healthcare system deals with the direct medical costs but the indirect costs can be staggering.
Mayes called Bigelow "a supportive wife, loving mother of four, and a pillar of the Prince George community."
Plans within CUPE are now in the early discussion phase as to how Bigelow's legacy will be honoured.
A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 at Sacred Heart Cathedral (887 Patricia Blvd.), followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
