By Megan Ma

Longtime Los Altos resident and realtor Jane Bigelow may be closing the chapter on one part of her life, but there’s little doubt she’ll continue to contribute to the community with her usual zest and thoughtfulness.

Louise Spangler, owner of Uncommon Threads on State Street, presented Bigelow with the Walter and Marie Singer Award last June. The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce award honors a “business leader in the community whose community service and leadership demonstrate the spirit of the community.”

“She’s an amazing person and has done great work for the community,” Spangler said.

Bigelow, 59, began her real estate career in 1977 in Salt Lake City where she and her husband, Bob, lived.

When the Bigelows moved to the Bay Area, she joined Seville Properties to continue in her profession and quickly rose to sales manager.

When National Realty Trust acquired Seville in 1997 and became Coldwell Banker, Bigelow, already a key player in the company, remained as manager.

“I attribute any (career) success to luck and patience,” Bigelow said. “I just like people a lot. (And) as a manager, I enjoyed helping people build their careers.”

Bigelow finds it hard to believe she began her career in real estate nearly three decades ago. Back then, she wondered if the incredibly long hours would pay off in the end, she said. Real estate, she discovered, was more than a full-time job, but still, Bigelow said she flourished in it and is proud of her choices.

As she was building a successful career, Bigelow also threw her talent and energy into community service. She served as president of the Los Altos Village Association board, comprised of local business owners. Her work for the Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival led to her assuming the chairmanship of the event in 2002 and 2003.

Bigelow worked to introduce the successful fund-raising event, Relay For Life, into the community. She was co-chairwoman last year and this for the annual cancer awareness event. Bigelow helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Bigelow dismissed any recognition of extraordinary volunteer involvement. “The community has fed me and I’ve always felt I had to give back,” she said.

When Thursday, her last day on the job, arrives, Bigelow said she wouldn’t be looking back so much as passionately forward. She plans to travel with Bob, visit nieces and nephews, play golf and read. The couple plan to remain in Los Altos.

“I’ve always loved where I am and what I’m doing,” Bigelow said.