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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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BIGGINS, Mary: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:imp181.jpg|left|thumb|150px|For years of dedicated volunteer work on behalf of many Dubuque organizations, Mary Biggins received the 1983 First Citizen Award. Photo courtesy: Mary Biggins]]BIGGINS, Mary. (Zwingle, IA, Feb. 29, 1904--1995). Recipient, [[FIRST CITIZEN AWARD]]. Biggins, one of Dubuque's most enthusiastic participants in volunteer organizations, received the First Citizen Award from the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]] in 1983 after she received 353 nominations. The newspaper article announcing her award carried the story of how Biggins was known for helping needy parents outfit their children using money from her own wages as an employee of Penney's.
[[Image:imp181.jpg|left|thumb|150px|For years of dedicated volunteer work on behalf of many Dubuque organizations, Mary Biggins received the 1983 First Citizen Award. Photo courtesy: Mary Biggins]]BIGGINS, Mary. (Zwingle, IA, Feb. 29, 1904--1995). Biggins, one of Dubuque's most enthusiastic participants in volunteer organizations, received the First Citizen Award from the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]] in 1983 after receiving 353 nominations. (1)


Biggins was a charter member of Wa-Tan-Ye in Dubuque and chairperson of its concession, known as "Mary's Booth," at the county fair for thirty-one years. She was a member of the Women of the Moose for over 44 years during which she held most of its offices. Biggins devoted over twenty-five years of service to the American Cancer Society and ten years with the local chapter of the blood bank. She belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary and was one of its past presidents.  
Biggins was a charter member of Wa-Tan-Ye in Dubuque and chairperson of its concession, known as "Mary's Booth," at the county fair for twenty-five years. She volunteered for Dubuquefest and Riverfest, the Moose, Eagles and the Retired Eagles Active Citizens, Memorial Day Parade, Cathooic Daughters of America, RSVP, and RISE. She was a member of the Women of the Moose for over 44 years during which she held most of its offices. Biggins devoted over twenty-five years of service to the American Cancer Society and ten years with the local chapter of the blood bank. She belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary and was one of its past presidents. She earned her 20-year service pin from the American Cancer Society the same week as her five-year pin from the Red Cross. She also volunteered for the Kidney Foundation, American Lung Association, March of Dimes and the Easter Seals. Some of her acts of volunteering were private like visiting a senior citizen her age but less mobile. (2)


Source: "175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 103
Biggins began work at [[J. C. PENNEY]] in 1927. Even then she helped out. When parents bought only one set of school clothes because it was all they could afford, Biggins threw in another pair and paid for them herself. When she retired in 1969, she took three new jobs and was stll working at John C. Pollock's florist shop in 1983. (3)
 
Loving to travel, she visited South America, California and Arizona. As a [[BASEBALL]] fan she organized trips for the Packer Pals, and two busloads annually to Chicago--one to see the White Sox and the other to see the Cubs. (4)
 
Source:  
 
1. Fryxell, David,"TH First Citizen's Name Matches Her Heart: Mary Biggins Simply Has a Big 'Un," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 29, 1983, p. 17
 
"175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 103


[[Category: Humanitarian]]
[[Category: Humanitarian]]
[[Category: Civic Leader]]
[[Category: Civic Leader]]

Revision as of 13:24, 21 September 2017

For years of dedicated volunteer work on behalf of many Dubuque organizations, Mary Biggins received the 1983 First Citizen Award. Photo courtesy: Mary Biggins

BIGGINS, Mary. (Zwingle, IA, Feb. 29, 1904--1995). Biggins, one of Dubuque's most enthusiastic participants in volunteer organizations, received the First Citizen Award from the TELEGRAPH HERALD in 1983 after receiving 353 nominations. (1)

Biggins was a charter member of Wa-Tan-Ye in Dubuque and chairperson of its concession, known as "Mary's Booth," at the county fair for twenty-five years. She volunteered for Dubuquefest and Riverfest, the Moose, Eagles and the Retired Eagles Active Citizens, Memorial Day Parade, Cathooic Daughters of America, RSVP, and RISE. She was a member of the Women of the Moose for over 44 years during which she held most of its offices. Biggins devoted over twenty-five years of service to the American Cancer Society and ten years with the local chapter of the blood bank. She belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary and was one of its past presidents. She earned her 20-year service pin from the American Cancer Society the same week as her five-year pin from the Red Cross. She also volunteered for the Kidney Foundation, American Lung Association, March of Dimes and the Easter Seals. Some of her acts of volunteering were private like visiting a senior citizen her age but less mobile. (2)

Biggins began work at J. C. PENNEY in 1927. Even then she helped out. When parents bought only one set of school clothes because it was all they could afford, Biggins threw in another pair and paid for them herself. When she retired in 1969, she took three new jobs and was stll working at John C. Pollock's florist shop in 1983. (3)

Loving to travel, she visited South America, California and Arizona. As a BASEBALL fan she organized trips for the Packer Pals, and two busloads annually to Chicago--one to see the White Sox and the other to see the Cubs. (4)

Source:

1. Fryxell, David,"TH First Citizen's Name Matches Her Heart: Mary Biggins Simply Has a Big 'Un," Telegraph Herald, December 29, 1983, p. 17

"175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 103