Katherine A. Sigler

Katherine Ann Buss Sigler died late Monday night of cancer at the age of 60. Born July 21, 1945 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was raised by her parents, John Duis Buss and Marcia Helene Wescott, and with her two siblings, John and Candace, on her parents' farm in Hamilton, Illinois.

She moved to Texas upon her marriage to James Markham Sigler, an Episcopal clergyman, in 1967. They gave birth to two daughters, Gretchen in 1969 and Elizabeth in 1972. She also shared a 35-year friendship with Maxine Graham Wheeler, whom she called her godmother.

Kathy's marvelous gifts will be remembered by everyone who knew her, beginning with her musicianship. She was a musical prodigy from the moment her small hands could press down the piano keys. At age three with both hands, she played 'From the Halls of Montezuma' by ear, while her mother, letting the vacuum cleaner slip to the floor, stood by in speechless wonder. She developed this gift with years of training, teaching, and professional performance as a church organist and church and school choir director. She would often say, 'I feel most myself when I am playing the piano.' Certainly, she delighted everyone who was privileged enough to be her audience. One of her dearest friends, a professional musician, said, 'I hear musicians play all the time, every kind of thing: popular, classical, jazz. But Kathy's music touches me to the heart. Kathy can make me cry.'

She lived well, and taught others how to live by her example. Her gifts extended to her ability to create beauty in all things, from designing and furnishing her home to her remarkable sewing ability, and the meals she prepared for eager friends and family. A ritual as simple as serving tea was a lovely thing in Kathy's graceful presence. Her use of language was flawless, and with her musician's ear she developed a native-like accent in French, which she spoke fluently, and Italian, which she studied at conservatory in Milan as a young woman. She shared her gifts in teaching French, English and choir direction in Texas high schools for seventeen years.

No description of Kathy would be complete without a mention of her maverick spirit. Kathy was a woman who determined her own destiny. Her passion for politics, education, music and, most especially, for fighting injustice, earned her enormous respect, even by those with whom she vehemently disagreed.

But Kathy's greatest ability was her ability to love and, in turn, to be loved by others. She discovered and drew out the Holy Spirit in all those lucky enough to know her. Her graciousness, her genuine interest, and her profound caring made her remarkably beloved by her community of friends and neighbors. This extraordinary and unconditional love was most shared by her daughters, in whom she took enormous pride. Her deep and abiding faith in God, and her gratitude for His grace and blessings in her life, surely made so profound a love possible.

Kathy will be deeply missed by her daughters Gretchen and Elizabeth, her son-in-law, Randy Shanofsky, her grandchildren Gavin and Ethan Shanofsky, her father John Buss, her sister Candace Ballard, her nephew John Ballard, her brother John Wescott Buss and her god-daughter Jennifer Lowe. She lives in peace with God and heaven is a more beautiful place with her company.