On Monday, May 24, 2021, Eleanor Ruth Bigonski, passed away at the age of 53, at her home in Bridgton.

Eleanor was born on December 10, 1967, in Norway, Maine, the firstborn to Stephen V. Bigonski and Esther Flick. She graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1988. After high school, Eleanor attended a day program for adults
with developmental disabilities in Bridgton. Eleanor was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2000, and was a member of the Norway Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Throughout Eleanor’s life each summer she would attend Pine Tree Camp in Oakland, Maine. After attending her summer session, she would begin talking about next year’s session, asking about packing her suitcase, her bathing suit and hoping she would be in her favorite cabin. Her favorite cabin was cabin 1. She didn’t want to stay in any other cabin, she would say “cabin 1 is the best.” She loved the overnights, the good food, swimming, arts and crafts, participating in the talent show, singing or dancing to her favorite performer Shania Twain and she would always end her routine with her signature move — a split.

Eleanor was very athletic and won hundreds of medals by participating in the Special Olympics for over 40 years. She made it up on the podium again for the last time in the summer Olympics in 2019. The events she enjoyed participating in were the softball throw, running, walking, and swimming.

Eleanor was the oldest cousin on her mother’s side of the family. Growing up in Sandy Creek with her sisters and cousins Beckie, Berta, Andy, Alison and Danny, as known by Eleanoras “my cousin,” they shared great memories of swimming and family get-togethers at Woods Pond. She had great pride in her relationships with all of them as she watched them grow up and have their own families. She was the oldest and she would often remind everyone of that fact. Eleanor had a passion and love for music, dancing and singing. She took dance classes at Billie-Lynn’s Dance studio along with her sisters and cousins. Jazz, tap, baton, and gymnastics. In high school, she was a cheerleader. She enjoyed being the center of attention. Eleanor brought our family together and was our center.

Eleanor sought strangers out, as she loved to talk to people,mostly men. First question she would ask, “Are you married?” If they answered "yes," she would say, “why” if "no," “oh, good.” This happened on a flight to Florida. Eleanor was charismatic, often getting away with things we couldn’t imagine getting away with. The pilot of the plane invited her to the cockpit for a quick hello and tour, of course, she did not hesitate to ask if he was single. On her way to returning to her seat, she announced to all passengers on the plane, “hey mom, he’s single!” With a big smile on herface, so proud he was single.

Eleanor’s family is grateful to the staff at OEI, who have provided her with friendship, companionship and daily care. She loved playing bingo, UNO, and Skip Bo with you and thank you for making sure her finger and toe nails were painted. All of you are special to Eleanor as well as to her family and they thank you.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her father, Steve Bigonski; stepmother Dianne Bigonski; and her paternal and maternal grandparents.

She is survived by her mother Esther Flick and stepfather Richard Flick; sisters Andrea Bigonski and Chantelle Bigonski; half-brothers Mike Smith and Bruce Smith. Eleanor always had big hugs for all of her aunties, uncles, and cousins. She was full of love for all of her family and her spiritual brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 5, at 1 p.m. by Zoom.

Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside Celebration of Life at the Forest Hills Cemetery, Kansas Road in Bridgton, at 3 p.m., on Saturday, June 5, after which the celebration will continue with refreshments at Woods Pond in Bridgton.

To share memories and online condolences with the family please go to www.chandlerfunerals.com. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton.