Kathleen Gawne Bigelow

“Gammi”

Of Dunkirk, MD, entered eternal life on December 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Kathleen (Kathy) was born on August 10, 1953, in Washington, DC to Robert and Patricia Gawne and grew up in Beltsville, MD. She was a graduate of Regina High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Business from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD.

After college, Kathy lived in Dagsboro, DE and was employed by The Town of Frankford, DE while starting her family. She subsequently lived in Greenville, NC, and Effingham, IL. Kathy then moved to Herndon, VA and worked for Scribner, Hall and Thompson Law firm in Washington, DC. Shortly after leaving the law firm, Kathy started her career at Comfort Control, Inc. and moved her family to Dunkirk, MD.

Kathy was employed by Comfort Control, Inc. for 30 years, most recently serving as President and CEO. She was past President of SMACNA Mid-Atlantic (2018-2020), and recipient of the SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Distinguished Service Award (2022). Kathy was a member of the SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors, Trustee of the Sheet Metal Industry Fund and Contractor Trustee of the Sheetmetal Workers’ Local 100 Health, Vacation, 401(k) and Washington Area Pension Funds.

Kathy and her loving husband Steve together raised nine children. Devoted to her Catholic faith, she attended Mass daily and prayed the rosary every day at 3 p.m. Kathy loved reading, family trips, especially to the beach, gatherings, and attending anything that involved her grandchildren. She was known for crocheting beautiful blankets (“Gammie Blankets”) for her family and friends and handing “Little Jesus” figurines to everyone she met, saying everyone needs a little Jesus in their life.

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband Stephen R. Bigelow Sr., her children Stephanie Bigelow, Stephen R. Bigelow Jr. (Maria), Jamie Aley (Darren), Joseph Palermo (Laura), Kristin Palermo, Mary Nicole Palermo (Paul Jackson), Patricia Gray (Kevin), Robert Bigelow (Nicole), and Michael Bigelow, grandchildren Breanna Hess (Kevin), Robert Palermo (Alyssa), Mark Nicholson III, Grace Mosmiller, Brody Aley, Brayden Jackson, Brett Aley, Kathleen Palermo, Cade Jackson, Ava Gray, Lucia Palermo, Leah Gray, Olivia Gray, Emily Aley, Austin Aley, and Brenden Aley, great-grandchildren Marcella Hess and Brooks Hess.

She is also survived by siblings Robert Gawne Jr., William Gawne (Cathy), Daniel Gawne, Mary Patricia Suhr (Douglas), and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Kathy is preceded in death by her angel baby Michelle Bigelow, her parents Robert and Patricia Gawne, and brother Thomas Gawne.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home 8200 Jennifer Lane Owings, MD 20736. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, 1601 W. Mount Harmony Road Owings, MD 20736. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kathy’s name to: Sisters of Mary World Villages of Children www.worldvillages.org 4200 Parliament Place Suite 230 Lanham, MD 20706 Shannon’s Comfy Chemo Bags Shannon's Comfy Chemo Care Bag Project - #NoOneFightsAlone http://www.comfychemocarebagproject.org/ 1909 Althea Lane Bowie, MD 20716.