Bigbee praised as tireless volunteer
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That?s why McMinnville?s Breakfast Rotary Club honored Bigbee on Tuesday with its prestigious Let Service Light the Way Award.
?There are a handful of people that when I think of them, I wish I could be more like them,? said award presenter Peggy Bratcher. ?Pat Bigbee is one of those people. I would call her one of my heroes.?
The list of Bigbee?s accomplishments is a lengthy one, beginning back in high school when she was WCHS valedictorian.
In 1979, she was a charter member of McMinnville?s Junior Auxiliary Club. In 1986, Bigbee was chairperson of a project that raised $15,000 for the Riverfront Park recreational area.
She was president of the band booster club for two years and helped develop the idea for Pork and Bands, a year-end concert which is still going strong today.
Bigbee has been a member of the Ben Lomand Garden Club for 40 years with Bratcher joking that, ?she must have joined when she was 2.? Bigbee is also a master gardener.
But she is probably best known for her volunteer work on the Magness Library board, where she has served for 30 years. She has been board chairperson since 2002.
Bigbee initiated and obtained funding to turn a former restroom area in the library basement into a separate children?s room. She has been instrumental in library expansion plans which are scheduled in the near future.
In 1988, she was honored by McMinnville?s Evening Exchange Club with its Book of Golden Deeds Award.
Bigbee is married to Wally Bigbee and they share a common love for gardening and the outdoors, as well as seven grandchildren.