Cecile M Bigatin

Cecile Madeleine Peffer Bigatin
Nickname: Boma (Grandmother in Luxembourgish)

86 years old
Jacksonville Beach, FL. September 13, 2020

Place of birth: Schifflange, Luxembourg
Previous residence: Savannah, GA
Preceded by: Duilio Bigatin (husband of 62 years)
Tania S. Heyman (daughter)
Felix Peffer (brother)
Lucien Peffer (brother)
Marie-Therese Dock (sister)
Helene Pletch (sister)

Survived by: Agnes Mosar (sister) & family in Europe

The families of Marie-Therese and Helene in Europe
Alida Lyman (daughter) & family
Diane Hutchison (daughter) & family
Nathan Heyman (son-in-law) & family

Cecile Peffer, born in 1934, was the youngest of six children born to Viktor Peffer and
Catherine Jungers. Cecile was a rambunctious child when Germany invaded
Luxembourg in 1940. She remembered how the tanks shook the ground as they rolled
through. After the death of her father and the hospitalization of her mother, she grew
up under the care of her older sisters, Marie-Therese, Agnes and Helene.

Ever since helping to operate the Peffer family grocery store with her sisters in post-
World War II Luxembourg, Cecile has had the entrepreneurial spirit. After marriage

in 1955, to Duilio Bigatin, Cecile and Duilio operated their own small grocery store in
Luxembourg while Duilio trained to become a Master Chef.
After making a bold move from Luxembourg to America in 1962, Cecile and Duilio
lived in Chicago, Montego Bay Jamaica, and Miami FL before settling in Savannah
GA. Along the way, Cecile applied her business skills to many ventures such as:
managing a guest house, owning and refurbishing rental property, operating a Minute
Man Press franchise, becoming a hair stylist and teacher.
Cecile was a dedicated and active Member of the Bahá’í Community of Savannah
GA. Her hobbies were always productive. Cecile crocheted non-stop, producing hats,
scarves, sweaters, blankets and shawls for family and friends as well as teaching
crochet at the senior center. Her passion for gardening yielded food for the family
table as well a surplus for friends and neighbors. She even sold grapefruits from her
backyard, “Garden of Ridvan” to the Brighter Day Grocery Store. She volunteered to
give haircuts at the local missions. As a proud resident of Baldwin Park she actively
participated in the community meetings. She was also a novelty collector who could
be seen trading at flea markets around the city.
Cecile was independent, clever, humorous and an energetic free spirit. She knew
what was right and always made the best of whatever life presented her. Always
smiling, she was a dynamic force within the Bigatin family.
Cecile moved to Florida to be with her family for her last years and will now return to
be with Duilio at the Bonaventure Cemetery.
Cecile was proud of her eight grandchildren – Audrey, Jenny, Andrew, Sarah, Evan,
Lydia, Alexis and Nicholas, as well as her three great grandchildren, Geoffrey,
William and Amelia.

Obituary for Cecile M. Bigatin

Cecile found long-lasting community, joy and friendship in Savannah, GA. Her
tightly-knit network of kindred spirits included: Madeline Collins & Dewayne
Kicklighter, Caroline, Barbara & Ray Rudolph, Pam & David Smith, Nazrin, Fariborz
and Neha Zaer, Tanya Futch, Albert Dryer, Anya Mitchell and so many more.

Funeral service information:

Cecile will be buried Tuesday September 15, 2020
At the Bonaventure Cemetery
415-B Bonaventure Rd, Savannah, GA 31404
Funeral arrangements are being handled by:
Williams + Williams Funeral Home
Savannah, GA
https://www.williamsandwilliamsfuneralhome.com/

Family preference in lieu of flowers:
Due to the Covid-19 Virus the funeral will be handled privately with a memorial
service to be held at later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers please consider a
contribution in Cecile’s name to:

Community Hospice (nonprofit)
4266 Sunbeam Road
Jacksonville, FL 32257
https://www.communityhospice.com/