Jan Bigart

Jan Raynor Bigart, 73, of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, died peacefully at home on April 11, 2026, in the presence of family following a valiant journey with cancer.

She was born October 30, 1952, at Fort Benning, Georgia to Barbara Elizabeth and Robert James Bigart. The frequent relocations of her military childhood fostered her resilience, independence, and adaptability evidenced by her adventurous lifestyle, grounded in strong, supportive, and close-knit community with peers.

Jan attended numerous schools of which her favorite was high school in Hawaii. She studied psychology at University of North Carolina – Asheville which, coupled with her personal recovery from addiction, prepared her well for a long and rewarding career assisting others to live free from addiction.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her siblings Judy Taube and Jim Bigart; her son Timothy Batts (Courtney), and her grandchildren Charley and Hayden Batts of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. She recalled the birth of her son Tim as the singular most spiritual experience she ever had recalling the moment she held him for the first time placing her face next to his and smelling his breath for the first time said, “This must be what God’s breath smells like”.

Jan lived in Westminster MD for over a decade where she worked in a school counseling young people living at risk. She treated all with respect and compassion. In addition to her work as a counselor to people with addictions, Jan devoted her personal life to supporting her larger family of friends with similar interests and challenges. She was a leader who shared her life experiences to foster growth and healthy lifestyles. She was a humble, tolerant, and generous friend to all.

Jan was a dedicated grandmother who wanted to leave the lessons of her recovery to Charley and Hayden.

• • • Learn to unapologetically embrace your whole selves.
    • Have fun.
    • Let your sense of humor be seen & known.
    • Find your passion and live it.
    • Pay attention but don’t let fear govern your life.
    • Seek balance: discipline is a healthy structure, and spontaneity is an outburst of your spiritual essence.
    • And above all else; forgive yourself first, be kind no matter what, and love yourself and others equally.

In lieu of flowers , the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society.