1920
Phoebe
2011
Phoebe Eunice Sigsworth
October 3, 1920 — December 2, 2011
Phoebe "Peggy" Eunice Sigsworth, 91, of Moline died peacefully Friday, December, 2, 2011 at Trinity Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf, IA. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, assisted the family with arrangements. Burial was held in the Moline Memorial Park Cemetery, after a private family ceremony.
Phoebe was born on October 2, 1921 in Sommerville, Ohio to Walter and Dana (Campbell) Williams. She later moved to Cordova, Illinois where she attended Cordova High School. She was valedictorian of her class and also served as a cheerleader. There she met Rodger Benson Trent and in 1939 they were married, and moved to Hampton, Illinois. They had two children, Rodger Gail Trent, and Maryann Trent VanDamme. They later moved to Moline. Rodger died in 1966. In 1970, Phoebe married William Sigsworth, with whom she shared the past 41 years.
Phoebe was an amazing woman. She was the matriarch of the family, in the best sense of the word - someone who, through love and devotion was the focal point of the family, always there to guide her children and grandchildren. She was kind, considerate, and showed us, by example, how to live. Her calm quiet demeanor masked incredible inner strength and determination.
After her children were born, Phoebe went back to school and earned a degree from Marycrest College in Elementary Education. In 1970 she received a Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Iowa.
During her 29 years of teaching at Lincoln and Lincoln-Irving Schools in Moline, Illinois, Phoebe touched the lives of over eight hundred students. She was a dedicated teacher who was personally interested in each and every one of her students. She had beautiful handwriting that was always in perfect form. Her grandchildren also benefited from her training as an educator. She helped with ideas for book reports, class projects, and made sure they attended Little House on the Prairie classes. She and Grandpa Bill took their granddaughters on outings to many local events.
Phoebe was a member of the Illinois Writer's Guild an organization dedicated to writing materials about the history of Illinois for the elementary grades. Phoebe wrote and illustrated several books including: Our Feathered Friends, Industry in Illinois, and A Tree is Many Things. She included original poetry, games, and puzzles. She also involved her grandchildren in doing interviews and writing essays that were included in Faded Roses: A Collection of Essays.
Phoebe was an avid bridge player and belonged to many local bridge groups. She belonged to the First Congregational Church, Black Hawk Hiking Club, Black Hawk Retired Teachers Association, Elisabeth Jan Brashear's Kings Daughters, and the Fortune Hunter's Investment Club. She enjoyed keeping fit and played tennis at the South Park Tennis Club. She was involved in real estate, obtained her realtor license, and worked for the Hinckley Real Estate Agency in Rock Island, Illinois.
Family dinners, picnics, Circa 21, Easter Egg Hunts, bunny cakes, gingerbread houses, New Year's Eve Slumber Parties, Christmas plays, "Make Dinner for Mom on Thursdays" ... are only a few of the memories she gifted us. The taste and smell of her chocolate chip cookies and famous pumpkin pies are embedded in our hearts and souls forever. In all of her activities she sought to bring her family together while learning and having a good time.
She leaves in mourning her husband, William Sigsworth, children Rodger Gail (Cheryl) Trent, Maryann VanDamme, and grandchildren Andrea Trent, Michelle Trent, and Christyann VanDamme, and Kathryn (Katy) VanDamme.
She greets in heaven Rodger, her parents, her brother Paul Sawyer, sisters, Faye Largent, Grace Close, Dorothy Ross, and Irma Schul.
The family extends a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Trinity Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf for their kindness and extraordinary care. You have a special place in our hearts.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Pathway Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.
Phoebe was born on October 2, 1921 in Sommerville, Ohio to Walter and Dana (Campbell) Williams. She later moved to Cordova, Illinois where she attended Cordova High School. She was valedictorian of her class and also served as a cheerleader. There she met Rodger Benson Trent and in 1939 they were married, and moved to Hampton, Illinois. They had two children, Rodger Gail Trent, and Maryann Trent VanDamme. They later moved to Moline. Rodger died in 1966. In 1970, Phoebe married William Sigsworth, with whom she shared the past 41 years.
Phoebe was an amazing woman. She was the matriarch of the family, in the best sense of the word - someone who, through love and devotion was the focal point of the family, always there to guide her children and grandchildren. She was kind, considerate, and showed us, by example, how to live. Her calm quiet demeanor masked incredible inner strength and determination.
After her children were born, Phoebe went back to school and earned a degree from Marycrest College in Elementary Education. In 1970 she received a Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Iowa.
During her 29 years of teaching at Lincoln and Lincoln-Irving Schools in Moline, Illinois, Phoebe touched the lives of over eight hundred students. She was a dedicated teacher who was personally interested in each and every one of her students. She had beautiful handwriting that was always in perfect form. Her grandchildren also benefited from her training as an educator. She helped with ideas for book reports, class projects, and made sure they attended Little House on the Prairie classes. She and Grandpa Bill took their granddaughters on outings to many local events.
Phoebe was a member of the Illinois Writer's Guild an organization dedicated to writing materials about the history of Illinois for the elementary grades. Phoebe wrote and illustrated several books including: Our Feathered Friends, Industry in Illinois, and A Tree is Many Things. She included original poetry, games, and puzzles. She also involved her grandchildren in doing interviews and writing essays that were included in Faded Roses: A Collection of Essays.
Phoebe was an avid bridge player and belonged to many local bridge groups. She belonged to the First Congregational Church, Black Hawk Hiking Club, Black Hawk Retired Teachers Association, Elisabeth Jan Brashear's Kings Daughters, and the Fortune Hunter's Investment Club. She enjoyed keeping fit and played tennis at the South Park Tennis Club. She was involved in real estate, obtained her realtor license, and worked for the Hinckley Real Estate Agency in Rock Island, Illinois.
Family dinners, picnics, Circa 21, Easter Egg Hunts, bunny cakes, gingerbread houses, New Year's Eve Slumber Parties, Christmas plays, "Make Dinner for Mom on Thursdays" ... are only a few of the memories she gifted us. The taste and smell of her chocolate chip cookies and famous pumpkin pies are embedded in our hearts and souls forever. In all of her activities she sought to bring her family together while learning and having a good time.
She leaves in mourning her husband, William Sigsworth, children Rodger Gail (Cheryl) Trent, Maryann VanDamme, and grandchildren Andrea Trent, Michelle Trent, and Christyann VanDamme, and Kathryn (Katy) VanDamme.
She greets in heaven Rodger, her parents, her brother Paul Sawyer, sisters, Faye Largent, Grace Close, Dorothy Ross, and Irma Schul.
The family extends a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Trinity Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf for their kindness and extraordinary care. You have a special place in our hearts.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Pathway Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.
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