OBITUARIES

Edith Hay Bigoney of Lansdale; Eileen Jane Fitzner Browne; Richard W. Loeffler of Lansdale

Edith Hay Bigoney, 93, of Lansdale, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Preceded in death by her son, Daniel Raymond McNeal, III. Beloved mother of Debra J. Lapihuska (Michael) and Margaret L. Clemm (Mark) her wonderful grandchildren, Katie MacKenzie Clemm and Daniel James Lapihuska. She is also survived by her sister Mary Jean Flowers and nieces and nephews. Always proud of her British heritage, “Edie” grew up with Scottish father, James Hay and English mother, Millie who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s. During WWII, her family hosted many of the British troops who had layovers in Philadelphia. At the age of 21, she appeared in the first Philco television commercial to be broadcast between Philadelphia and New York City, at a time when the television industry was in its infancy. She married Daniel R. McNeal, Jr. in 1948, and proceeded to follow him all over the country in pursuit of his career in the aerospace industry. While raising her two daughters, Dee and Meg, she also wowed people with her beautiful mezzo soprano singing voice. After returning to Pennsylvania, she continued to support her husband in the family owned engineering firm in Lansdale Andale Company, where they first met. She married C. Raymond Lukens, Jr. and worked with him in the construction business until his death in 1981. She opened her own bridal store in North Wales, PA which she ran successfully for years. She met Carl F. Bigoney at their 46th Lansdale High School class reunion. They were happily married in 1988 and spent a significant amount of time at their home in Williamsburg, Virginia. She spent many, happy summers in Ocean City, NJ with her daughter Meg and her family. At the age of 85, she took her first ride on her son-in-law’s jet boat. On her return, the owner of the marina asked if she would do a television commercial for the manufacturer of the boat, touting the fact that “You are never too old for a Yamaha!” Despite her early experience in television, she politely declined. The week before she passed away, Edie spent hours with her family, joking with nurses, sharing her love with all those around her and even having one last hot fudge sundae, which was always her favorite. She looked forward to reuniting with her parents, her beloved son and all others whom she loved who had passed. Her life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service which will be held at the Whitemarsh Memorial Chapel in Horsham, PA on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to www.doylestownhealth.org/ giving-opportunities/waysto-give/in-memoriam. Arr. Shelly-Dinan Funeral Home, Lansdale. Condolences to www.dinanfuneralhome.com