Eileen Margaret Winifred (Hughes) Bigger passed away on Saturday July 22, 2006, after a courageous battle against scleroderma.  Eileen is survived by her husband, Timothy Bigger; son, Kurt (Davide); son, Kent (Regina); son, Robert; daughter, Shelly; son, Kyle; son, Jeremy; mother, Maria Santa-Barbara; father, Michael Hughes; sister, Maria (Brian); brother, Kevin; brother, Sean (Kim); sister, Michelle (Bobby); sister Diane J.(Scott); grandson, Kent III; nieces (Rebecca, Shiann, Collette, Renee, Jenny, Jackie, Lena, and Sara); and nephews (Dustin, Tyler, McThadial, Ussarian,  and Scotty).

Eileen was born on February 20, 1961 in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Marquette, MI in 1985.  She was a dedicated employee of MGHS for 11 years. She married Tim in 2000 after a wild 7 years of dating.  All agree that Tim and Eileen’s relationship was a mutual blessing.  Eileen enjoyed the beauty and splendor of the Upper Peninsula.  She enjoyed camping and fishing.  Eileen gave of herself generously.  She understood the importance of celebrating the important times in life.  She always went out of her way to make a loved one feel extra special or important on those special occasions – almost to the point of genuine embarrassment.

Eileen will be remembered by her family and friends as a wild and adventurous woman.  She enjoyed the fermented fruits of nature.  She constantly gave song and dance around many a camp fire.  Her favorite songs came from racy musicals like Hair and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  She was an avid skinny dipper, only “caught in the act” once or twice in her life.  Some people claimed she collected elephant figurines; her children believed she horded them.  Eileen was never a woman that would be undone, she strived to be the life of the party.  She easily filled other’s lives with joy and laughter

Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home, 622 N. Third Street, Marquette, MI, beginning at 10 AM Tuesday morning, July 25, 2006.  A memorial service will be held in the funeral home at 12 Noon Tuesday.  A burial service will follow at 2 PM at the Powell Township Cemetery in Big Bay, MI.  All family, friends, and those who just loved her are invited to join us in our remembrance of Eileen. Condolences and drinks can be sent to Eileen’s Family C/O Timothy Bigger at 1635 Vandenboom Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.