Vanessa Bigg-Carr

Vanessa Ann Bigg-Carr, 34, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is remembered for the care she gave to her family and to others through her work. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Vanessa brought warmth and steady devotion to her role as a mother to her three children, Dustin Allen Sorentino Jr., Savannah Isabella Sorrentino and Sophia Ann Sorrentino. A 2009 graduate of Panther Valley High School, she remained connected to her community and carried the quiet strength of those who support others.

Vanessa worked as a behavioral health technician at ClearVision Health and Wellness in Hazleton, where she was known for her dedication to helping people during difficult moments. Colleagues and neighbors described her as someone who took her responsibilities seriously and aimed to make a positive difference in small, practical ways.

Family was central to Vanessa’s life. She was the daughter of Christina (Carr) Castillo of Laurys Station and Shawn Bigg of New Jersey, and the paternal granddaughter of Gary and Denise Bigg. She is also survived by siblings named in public remembrances, and mourned alongside relatives and friends who gathered to honor her memory. Her loss followed that of her twin sister, Felicia M. Bigg-Carr, who died in February 2024 — a sorrow compounded for those closest to her.

Friends and community members held vigils and offered support to Vanessa’s family in the weeks after her passing, a reflection of the place she held in a small, close-knit area. Those who knew her recall a mother who loved her children and a worker who cared for others; those truths remain at the heart of how Vanessa will be remembered.

Vanessa’s life, though cut short, touched family, friends and coworkers. Her compassion, commitment to her children, and service to others stand as the enduring parts of her story.