Memorial Services Set For Bigelow Tea Family Member In Wilton

WILTON, CT — Lori Susan Bigelow, retired co-president of the Bigelow Tea company, died peacefully at her home in Wilton on Monday at age 66.

Bigelow grew up in Westport where she first fell in love with gymnastics, according to her death notice. She then went on to Keene State College and was the captain of the team. Several years after graduation, she joined the family firm of Bigelow Tea. She retired in 2006.

Bigelow learned the nuances of making specialty teas including a sense of blending, sipping, tasting and tweaking which ultimately led to the development of some of Bigelow's favorite and best loved teas, according to the company website. The seasonal favorite Ginger Snappish®, Vanilla Chai and the Novus line are just a few of many of the blends she created.

Lori Bigelow was instrumental in her family's purchase of the Charleston Tea Garden in South Carolina in 2003. She was a great lover of dogs, and among her favorite events was dressing up with her dog on Halloween and distributing candy to the kids in downtown Wilton.

Lori Bigelow is survived by her parents, Eunice and David Bigelow, her sister Cindi Bigelow, her niece and nephew, David Bigelow O'Hara and Meghan Campbell O'Hara. She also leaves behind her partner, David McDonald.

The wake will be held on Friday, March 13, from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home in Fairfield. A memorial service will be held on March 14 at 10 a.m. at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield followed by internment in the Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090.