Obituary of Edna Mae Bigelow

Edna Mae Bigelow, 97, of East Rochester, NY, peacefully passed away on June 6th, 2026. Edna, known affectionately as Mickey by her family and friends, is predeceased by her husband, John Joseph Bigelow Sr; her father and mother, John and Ruth (Hallett) Ruster; and her six siblings, Ralph (Stella) Ruster, James Ruster, Kenneth (Carol) Ruster, Madeline (Henry) Herzog, Dorothy (Roger) Kennedy and Adele (George) Herzog.

She is survived by her two sons, John Bigelow Jr and Terry (Mary) Bigelow, and grandchildren Alana (Brian) Marsh, Jacob Bigelow, Owen Bigelow and Riley Bigelow. In addition, she is survived by many extended family and friends, including Joanne and Tim Wright, Kim Ruiz, her nephew Bobby Ruster, niece Sharon Cole, and friend Alma Archambeau.

Edna lived her entire life in East Rochester, first working for Stromberg-Carlson wiring telephones and then as a secretary for an insurance company. Her greatest work though was as a homemaker, taking on the role of mother not only for her own children, but their friends and neighbors too. Her home was always warm and inviting, and no one was turned away from her table. No matter the strife that life threw at her, she persevered with grace, love and faith.

She was for years an avid crocheter, making scarves and blankets for her family and friends. An avid reader, she devoured the works of Danielle Steele and James Patterson, using the same e-reader for years. Every evening she loved watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, before turning over to cheer for the Yankees. Edna enjoyed giving instructions to the players, telling them to hit a home run, which they occasionally obliged her with. She loved Perry Como and Robert Goulet, and delighted in playing their CDs as she did housework or baked. Her cookies were legendary and her peanut brittle unsurpassed. If there was a moment to be celebrated, Edna would have a card ready to mail for it. Her laughter was loud, unapologetic, and absolutely infectious.

Edna’s passing leaves a hole in all of our hearts, but if you are in pain, know that she is smiling down upon you, her soul full of light and love. She would want you to mourn, yes, but she would also want you to live.

The family would like to thank the beautiful people of Rochester Regional Health’s Hospice and Palliative Care Services who treated our beloved Edna like a queen in her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Edna’s name to Rochester Regional Health Home Care at 330 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 Attn Foundations Edna Bigelow.

A visitation will be held for Edna from 4:00PM-8:00PM on Friday, June 12, at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 S Washington Street, East Rochester. Edna's service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, June 13, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the cemetery.