Barbara Mann Bigham passed away Monday, August 26, in Falmouth, Mass., after a nearly 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was the widow of the late Kenneth L. Bigham. They were married for 51 years prior to his death in 2014, and lived in Newtown for 40 years before moving to Oxford Greens in Oxford.

They once owned homes in Venice, Fla., and Falmouth.

She was born in Danbury on February 12, 1941, the daughter of Raymond Simmons Mann and Louise Loewe Mann.

Barbara graduated from Danbury High School in 1958, Skidmore College in 1962, and earned masters’ degrees from Western Connecticut State University in 1974 and 1992.

She spent most of her career in the Newtown school system, starting out as a community liaison worker, Title I program director, and finally a classroom teacher at Sandy Hook School where she retired in 2003.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Katherine and Michael Bloxsom of Falmouth, Douglas and Judy Bigham of Falmouth, and Steve and Lisa Bigham of Southbury.

She also had six grandchildren: Kristin (her fiancé, Zach) and Laura Pino, Jamison (his wife, Hanna) and Karly Bigham, and Leah and Erin Bigham.

She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Karen Mann of Venice, Fla., and a brother-in-law, Ronald Long of St Charles, Mo.

Her sister, Jean Long, predeceased her in 2010.

Barbara loved the Newtown community and was an active volunteer. She was a longtime member of Newtown Congregational Church, having taught Sunday School, mentored confirmands, and spent many years on the Visitation Committee.

She was a “trained Chaplain Volunteer” at Ashlar of Newtown, and enjoyed visiting residents at many other local retirement homes, listening to their life stories and writing a final, edited copy. She served as chairman of the Newtown Salvation Army for more than 20 years, was an original board member of The Children’s Adventure Center, served as a Hospice Masonic Volunteer, enjoyed tennis, golf and bridge, and, whenever possible, watched her children and grandchildren’s sporting events.

In more recent years, Barbara was cared for by Frank Lozis, who became a special friend and companion.

She was proud to have many friends throughout her lifetime and continued to be loved upon her death.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 19, at 10 am, in the sanctuary of Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown.

Burial will be within the family plot in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Barbara’s memory be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation and/or the Salvation Army.