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- Helena Independent Record
June 20, 2010
AVON — Kathy Bignell, 46, of Avon, passed away of ovarian cancer peacefully on Friday, June 18, 2010, at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena after a courageous six-month battle.
Kathy was born in Deer Lodge on Jan. 7, 1964.
She was the youngest of eight children and the daughter of Lue and Sam Bignell. All of the Bignell children, until her, had names that began with the letter "J." Kathy received her name in honor of her sister, Jeanie, who had passed away just before she was born. All Jeanie's dolls were named Kathy.
In high school, she excelled in basketball and track. She graduated from Powell County High School in 1982 and attended Montana State University in Bozeman where she played basketball and rodeoed for the Bobcats. Kathy received her bachelor of science degree in physical education and health in 1987. Later she went on to receive an associate of applied science in accounting technology from Helena Vocational Technical Center. While attending, she received an award for her work on the Student Senate for outstanding leadership qualities.
After college, Kathy worked as an apprentice for Riverside Construction where she ran light equipment. She also worked as a lift operator for Big Sky Ski Resort in Big Sky and Copper Mountain in Breckinridge, Colo. Kathy was a partner in the "Maid in Montana Trail Rides" for 10 years, riding across Montana from the Big Hole to the Rocky Mountain Front. Kathy also shared her talents as a basketball, volleyball and track coach at Helena Middle School.
In 1993, Kathy began her career at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. After graduating from the Vo-Tech, she became a computer support specialist within the department. Kathy's dedication and team work helped her and her team earn the Governor's Award for Excellence in 2004. In 2006, she transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry and continued to excel in her career.
Kathy's love will be remembered by family, friends and co-workers. She silently gave of herself, gifts and time. She was loyal, hard working, and a passionate, devoted fan, especially when it came to all her nieces' and nephews' sporting activities. She could be found cheering from the grandstands at football, rodeo, basketball, track, soccer and softball events. Kathy was also known for her love of animals, particularly horses and cats. She could handle a rope, tie a goat and was gentle and proficient when training horses.
Kathy is survived by her beloved mother, Lue Tavenner of Helena; sisters, Judy (Alvin), nephew, Ross Wagner and wife, Casey, and niece,Tiffany Wagner of Park City, Janet (Sid), nephews, Josh and Tyler Erickson of Helena, Joyce (Bill), niece and nephew, Jessica and Ben Ayre of Glendive; brothers, Jim (Carrie), nieces and nephews, Clay, Brian, Sammi and Kaye Bignell of Avon, John (Tana), nieces and nephews, Carter, Kolby, Sierra, Savanna and Abby Bignell of Avon, Joe (Patti), nieces and nephews, Parker, Nate, Maclane and Frankie Bignell of Hall; stepsister, Peg Tavenner of Hamilton; stepbrother, Tom (Kathy) of Deer Lodge; nephews, Eric Tavenner of Billings, Jason Tavenner of Helena; and nieces, Lisa Jones and Tracy Klapan, both of Deer Lodge.
Kathy was preceded in death by her sister, Jeanie Bignell; her father, Sam Bignell; and stepfather, Bob Tavenner.
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1964 - 2010 (46 years)
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