Frances A. (LaFerriere) Bigda, age 84, died on January 2, 2023 of the flu and complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. At her death, she was a resident of The Arbors Assisted Living at Chicopee.
Born on November 11, 1938 in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, she was the daughter of the late Donald LaFerriere and Leda (Germaine) LaFerriere. Two older brothers, Donald and Robert, predeceased her, as did her younger sister Dorothy (“Teddy”) Bey. Her sister Mildred (“Susie”) Czelusniak of Albuquerque, NM survives her.
Some of her strongest memories were of her childhood in Aldenville (delivering newspapers) and of her first job (working at the Big Y). These experiences no doubt shaped her diligence, organizational skill and dependability.
Frances attended St. Joan of Arc School, Holy Name High School and Elms College. Friendships from these school experiences followed her throughout her life. She pursued graduate study at various colleges, including UMass, Valparaiso University, the University of Hawaii, and American University. She earned two master's degrees.
A classroom teacher (elementary and high school) for many years and then a school administrator, she was deeply committed to teaching and to Chicopee’s schools. Toward the end of her career, she served as Assistant Principal and then Principal of Chicopee High School. She retired from the Chicopee School System in 1999, after 40 years.
In her leisure time, Frances loved to play the piano; this endured as a favorite activity throughout her life. She was also an avid tennis player (she even coached the Chicopee High School girls’ tennis team in the mid-70s). She continued to play in tennis leagues until not long ago, making friends and staying fit. She especially enjoyed playing tennis in Forest Park on the clay courts.
She went on several trips with her husband Louis Wischerrh to elder hostels, traveling, learning and socializing. They played a lot of golf, too.
She enjoyed living in West Springfield, walking for exercise along Westfield Street and with dogs on the trails in Mittineague Park. She was a very fast walker. She liked to read and to discuss books (especially with her book club). She was a whiz with the NYT crossword puzzle and had a keen eye for grammatical errors.
She is predeceased by her first husband, David Bigda, and her second husband, Mr. Wischerth.
She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Dulchinos and her husband Donald of Boulder, CO; and her son Andrew Bigda and his wife Mary Ann Ferguson of Forty Fort, PA. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Zoe and Teddy Dulchinos (who knew her as Granny Franny) and several nieces and nephews. All appreciated her solid support and high expectations for them. She will be missed.
The family plans a reception in the spring. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com