Virginia Mae Sigler

Virginia Mae Sigler, “Ginny”, passed away in the early morning hours on June 24, 2015, at the age of 85, at the Gallatin County Nursing Home in Bozeman, Montana, where she had resided since January 2015, after a long battle with dementia.

She was born on March 9, 1930, in Livingston, Montana, to John and Helen Spannring. She was the third child of five children born to the Spannrings and she always said she was born with a veil over her face.

She attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Park High School in Livingston where she met Robert F. Sigler and married him on July 30, 1949. She and Bob had three children, Barry, Mark and Lisa, and built their house on Crawford Street in 1957, where Ginny lived until 2011. Ginny was widowed in 1973 and maintained the family home and the beautiful yard she was so proud of all by herself. When she and Bob first moved in, Bob insisted on planting a hedge around the back yard that Ginny begrudgingly maintained and always said that “Bob planted this damn hedge and then he died and now I have to take care of it.”

Ginny will be remembered as a fabulous cook and loved having family dinners at the holidays where everyone gathered in her basement at the huge table where she taught ceramics. There was always lots of laughter and fun.

Ginny’s life was not an easy one as she lost her husband Bob and oldest son Barry tragically only a year apart. She was a strong woman in her Catholic faith and is an inspiration to all who knew her. She attended mass every Saturday night and found solace in her strong belief in God. Her positive outlook never wavered and she was a shining light to her family and friends. Reunions with her brother Ray and sister Patty were always the highlight of her summer and they would laugh and tell funny stories for hours. She lost her brother John and dear sister Ruth, both to cancer, and she missed them dearly and spoke of them often. Her sister Patty has been Ginny’s support and best friend since moving back to the Bozeman area. They spent many fun times together playing Keno and going to lunch before Ginny took residence in assisted living in 2011.

Ginny loved her grandchildren dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. She made birthdays special for each one and Randi and Cody fondly remember big Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas eves at Grandma Ginny’s house as wonderful and fun times. Ginny often would drive her youngest grandson Dakota, who lived in Bozeman, to spend the weekend with her playing cards, watching movies and eating pizza.

Ginny enjoyed going for car rides around the area with her son Mark and daughter Lisa and it became a highlight of her week after moving from her home to assisted living and nursing care facilities. Her niece Marsha and sister Patty were by her side each time Ginny moved to a new facility, and brought her comfort and joy. Ginny looked forward to seeing her friend Nancy Bristol, who visited her often. Michelle Pierson, who began as Ginny’s caregiver at High Gate Assisted Living in Bozeman, grew to become Ginny’s close friend, and is an angel on earth. She brought butterflies and happiness to Ginny each time she visited.

Ginny is survived by her son Mark Sigler (Karyn), daughter Lisa Ayers, grandchildren Cody Sigler, Randilee Groff (Patrick), and Dakota Ayers, and great granddaughter Cambria “Cami” Groff. Cami’s name was one of the last words Ginny spoke before her passing and she would light up each time she saw Cami or a picture of her. Ginny is also survived by her sister Patty Tandy, and nieces Marsha White (Marshall), who thought of Ginny as her “second mom”, Sandy Von Tagen (Kurt), Sharon Miles (Mark), and nephews Bill Tandy (Susan), Joe Tandy (Stacy), Brett Tandy (Dana), Bill Spannring, Bob Spannring, Tom (Sonja) Spannring, Ron Spannring, and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, son Barry, and her namesake, great granddaughter Virginia Sky, who Ginny will meet in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Ray and John, and her sister Ruth.

A Graveside Memorial is being held Monday, June 29th, 11 AM, at Calvary Cemetery in Livingston.

If you would like to make a donation in Ginny’s name, please direct it to St Mary’s Catholic Church of Livingston.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.dahlcares.com.