DR. TAMARA BLUM File photo
The Creswell community remembered three women who recently passed on Saturday, Dr. Tamara Blum, who passed away in October 2018, Evangeline ”Vange” Bigham, who passed away in December 2018, and Erma Burnell, who was the victim of an alleged murder on Jan. 7, 2019 (see VIGIL story for more information on Erma).
Dr. Blum of Creswell Chiropractic was a well-known, well-loved community member who passed away from complications from peritoneal mesothelioma last year. Her wishes were to have a at her celebration of life party with music performed by her husband, Al Bennett’s band, The Fret Boys, and lots of dancing.
By all means, all those boxes were checked. The amount of people there was overwhelming, attendees said.
”Many who spoke, spoke about how they were healed by her caring hands, while many others spoke about how they were drawn to her because of her zest for life and how she lived life to its fullest,” Mayor Zettervall said.
Her spirit filled the room and the hearts of everyone who was there, Mayor Zettervall said.
The community also remembered Bigham, Creswell High School graduate of 1963. She was a teacher at Springfield High School, served on the Creswell School Board, the Creswell Educational Foundation, was one Lane Library District’s original board members and was overall an avid community volunteer. Saturday morning there was also huge gathering at Creswell Middle School to remember Bigham. The parking lot was full and people gathered in crowds to share fond memories and the impact Bigham has had on the community.
”Last Saturday was a day of remembrance for three special women in Creswell,” Mayor RIchard Zettervall said. ”The large gatherings at each of these remembrances truly shows how much Creswell cares. I feel humbled to serve so many wonderful, caring people.”
