Mary L. Bigby, 71, passed away due to natural causes at Peace Hospice in Great Falls on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. Wake services will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2018, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., also on Thursday. Her funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018. All services will take place at the Fort Belknap Community Center. Burial will follow Mary's service at Pony Hill Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Cuddy's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at www.hollandbonine.com .

Mary was born on June 29, 1947, in Fort Belknap to Joseph and Rose (Shortman) Black Crow, Sr. She was raised in Hays, attending the Mission school. Mary graduated from Hays High School in 1966, and moved to California for a short time to attend secretarial school. She returned to Harlem soon after, and married Delmar "Poncho" Bigby in 1970. The couple made their home in the valley where Poncho grew up. They became foster parents early in their marriage, and cared for and raised far more than their own five children. Mary worked for a short time for the Harlem nursing home, and began working for HeadStart as a cook in 2004. She retired in 2012 when her health began to decline.

She was a kind, giving woman who enjoyed beading, quilting, and sewing for others, socializing, and traveling. Her favorite pastimes were supporting her boys in football and wrestling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved to attend Pow Wows, and watch the Pow Wow dancers.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Delmar "Poncho" Bigby; parents Joseph and Rose Black Crow, Sr.; brothers Edwin "Wimpy" Shortman and Aloisuys "Punny" Black Crow; sisters Lois "Bussetts" Black Crow Falcon and Phyllis Shortman Moss; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her children, Ken (Arlene) Bigby of Ronan, Evelyn Bigby of Harlem, A. J. (Marie) Bigby of Ronan, Dave Bigby of Darrington, WA, and Alex Bigby of Fort Belknap; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings Joe "Fiddles" (Mary Agnes) Black Crow, Jr., Eileen "Sister" Bradley, Mark "Higgin" (Carmelita) Black Crow, Gloria "Ouzie" Black Crow, Phillip "Buzz" (Leona) Black Crow, Nora "Eagle" Black Crow, and George "Zot" (Wanda) Black Crow; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.