ScreenshotWECHT: It is with deep sorrow as well as gratitude for a long, well-lived life that we announce that Sigrid Ronsdal Wecht passed away on Sunday evening, Aug. 16, attended by family. She was 87. Sigrid was born on Jan. 5, 1939, in Asker, Norway. She lived her early childhood under German military occupation, as Wehrmacht soldiers seized and held her native land from April 1940 until May 1945. After the war ended and her parents separated, Sigrid and her mother left Norway for the United States. Sigrid rapidly acquired English fluency, attending schools in the Baltimore area. Sigrid and her mother then returned to Norway, where Sigrid completed high school. Sigrid traveled and worked in Europe, developing fluency in additional languages and beginning university studies in France. She then rejoined her mother, who had settled permanently in Baltimore. As a new immigrant to the USA, Sigrid was inspired to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Since the Air Force recruiter told her that her multilingualism would qualify her for the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, she enlisted in that branch. Instead, the Air Force sent her to bases in Idaho, Texas and Alabama. It was during her service as an airman at Maxwell U.S. Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, that she was introduced to Cyril Wecht, who was serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps there. Upon Cyril’s military discharge, the couple moved in with Sigrid’s mother in Baltimore, as Sigrid completed her military service at Andrews Air Force Base, and Cyril continued his medical residency and attended law school. Sigrid and Cyril moved to Cyril’s hometown of Pittsburgh. Sigrid converted to Judaism, and the couple married at Rodef Shalom Congregation in 1961. Their first child, David, was born in 1962, followed soon by Daniel, Benjamin and Ingrid. The 1960s and 1970s were occupied with all the joys of family life, and the Wecht home alongside Schenley Park in Squirrel Hill was always full of happy friends and beloved pets. With her children grown, Sigrid returned to school in the 1980s, enrolling in the University of Pittsburgh to complete her bachelor’s degree, followed by both her master’s degree in public and international affairs, and her law degree. For several years, Sigrid practiced law with her husband, Cyril, and her son, David, and then worked alongside Cyril for many years at Cyril H. Wecht and Pathology Associates. Among Sigrid’s greatest passions in life were travel and art. Blessed with the opportunity to visit many parts of the world, she not only observed and documented, but also took pleasure in directly interacting with people of many different languages and cultures. A great lover of literary fiction, live music, theater and museums, she pursued these passions throughout her life as well. An athlete since childhood, Sigrid was an avid tennis player, competing both in leagues and alongside Cyril, with whom she comprised a formidable doubles team. She also enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing, and enjoyed ski trips, vacations and rugged outdoor adventures with her family over many years and in many places. Beginning in the mid-90s, Sigrid entered what was perhaps the most meaningful chapter of her life — as the beloved “Grandma Siggi,” a role she played with energy, creativity, devotion and love. In addition to her children, David (Valerie), Dan (Anna), Ben (Flynne) and Ingrid (Harold Balk), Sigrid is survived by 11 grandchildren, Dylan (Alyssa Mursch), Sophie, Zoe, Gabriel, Nathan, Jacob, Sarah, Alexander, Macey, Emma and Jessica. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. No prior visitation. Interment Homewood Cemetery, Star of David Section. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sigrid’s memory can be made to StandWithUs, standwithus.com. schugar.comPJC
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