In Celebration of
Kerry Lee Bigelow
October 2, 1963 - December 15, 2025
Kerry Lee Bigelow was born on October 2, 1963, in Calgary, Alberta, to Grant and Joan Bigelow and passed peacefully, surrounded by family, friends and much love on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Mississauga, Ontario, after a valiant two year struggle with cancer, during which she lived fully—even extraordinarily—right up until the very end. She was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, who will be most grievously missed.
A college professor of English and ESL, she held a BA in history and a TESL certificate, both from University of Toronto. She took great pride in her decades of teaching and curriculum development at Centennial College and loved the close community of friends she developed there. She retired early to enjoy her many other pursuits, including co-authoring a textbook for ESL students.
She delighted in planning trips with her family and in gatherings of her many friends (some from as far back as elementary school). She loved animals, games, shared dinners, and hosting her greatnieces and nephews—whether it be for cookie decorating, days in the pool, or fancy tea parties. She was endlessly curious and enthusiastic about trying new things, from painting to pickleball to tapdancing, always eager to see what joyful opportunity might come next.
Kerry was an avid reader; inspired by Sue Grafton novels she decided to earn her private investigators licence. Despite having no intension of becoming an investigator she found it led to great dinner party conversation and much laughter. Kerry laughed easily and often and never took herself too seriously.
Even as her illness progressed, she fought to fill her last few weeks with meaning. Walks with Tobi, her much loved Tibetan Terrier, chair yoga, lunches out, friends’ visits, running errands, Christmas shopping for her great nieces and nephews, and—just days before her death—a long evening at the Nutcracker were all the result of her titanic determination to keep saying ‘yes.’ Insisting on it, actually. Her energy, resilience, and appetite for experience will forever remain an inspiration to her family and friends.
Above all else, Kerry was an amazing mother. She led by example, was an excellent listener, giving wise advice as needed along with unconditional love in abundance.
She is survived by her husband, Ross Simpson; their daughter, Sira; her mother, Joan Bigelow Boyle; her sister, Diane Terrana (Sal), niece Alexandra (Nicolas) and nephews Nathan (Chantal) and Julian (Chelsea)—as well as great-nieces Juliette and Charlotte and great-nephew Émile; and her brother, Wayne Bigelow (Allison), nieces Ellen (Alex) and Carlie (Emma)—and great-nephews Zacharia and Laith; her sister-in-law, Joan Simpson; and her brothers-in-law, Allan Simpson (Collette) and Larry Simpson (Janice), and nieces Karla, Monica, and Jennifer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, Speaking of Dogs Rescue, or Rattray Marsh via the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation.
There will be a Celebration of Life in February, details forthcoming.
A college professor of English and ESL, she held a BA in history and a TESL certificate, both from University of Toronto. She took great pride in her decades of teaching and curriculum development at Centennial College and loved the close community of friends she developed there. She retired early to enjoy her many other pursuits, including co-authoring a textbook for ESL students.
She delighted in planning trips with her family and in gatherings of her many friends (some from as far back as elementary school). She loved animals, games, shared dinners, and hosting her greatnieces and nephews—whether it be for cookie decorating, days in the pool, or fancy tea parties. She was endlessly curious and enthusiastic about trying new things, from painting to pickleball to tapdancing, always eager to see what joyful opportunity might come next.
Kerry was an avid reader; inspired by Sue Grafton novels she decided to earn her private investigators licence. Despite having no intension of becoming an investigator she found it led to great dinner party conversation and much laughter. Kerry laughed easily and often and never took herself too seriously.
Even as her illness progressed, she fought to fill her last few weeks with meaning. Walks with Tobi, her much loved Tibetan Terrier, chair yoga, lunches out, friends’ visits, running errands, Christmas shopping for her great nieces and nephews, and—just days before her death—a long evening at the Nutcracker were all the result of her titanic determination to keep saying ‘yes.’ Insisting on it, actually. Her energy, resilience, and appetite for experience will forever remain an inspiration to her family and friends.
Above all else, Kerry was an amazing mother. She led by example, was an excellent listener, giving wise advice as needed along with unconditional love in abundance.
She is survived by her husband, Ross Simpson; their daughter, Sira; her mother, Joan Bigelow Boyle; her sister, Diane Terrana (Sal), niece Alexandra (Nicolas) and nephews Nathan (Chantal) and Julian (Chelsea)—as well as great-nieces Juliette and Charlotte and great-nephew Émile; and her brother, Wayne Bigelow (Allison), nieces Ellen (Alex) and Carlie (Emma)—and great-nephews Zacharia and Laith; her sister-in-law, Joan Simpson; and her brothers-in-law, Allan Simpson (Collette) and Larry Simpson (Janice), and nieces Karla, Monica, and Jennifer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, Speaking of Dogs Rescue, or Rattray Marsh via the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation.
There will be a Celebration of Life in February, details forthcoming.