Martha Anne Olsen Sigmon, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 17, 2018. Born on July 27, 1929 in Raleigh, NC, Martha Anne was the daughter of Elsie Marsh Olsen and William Christian Olsen.
Martha Anne, or “Mop” as she was affectionately called, grew up in Raleigh, attending Ravenscroft School on Tucker Street and St. Mary’s College. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
While a student at Carolina, she met the love of her life, William Hill Sigmon (Bill), who was enrolled in the School of Architectural Design at North Carolina State University. After her blind date with him, she told her friends that he smoked a pipe and was studying to be an architect, and that he was the man she was going to marry. They were married at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Raleigh on January 19, 1951. For the next 59 years, she was his devoted wife, who supported him in his career with Olsen Associates, Engineers & Architects, and in raising their three children.
Martha Anne was very involved in her community: a member of the Junior League of Raleigh, the Colonial Dames of America, Christ Church, an Honorary Chairman of the North Carolina Debutante Ball. She belonged to several book and social clubs and enjoyed playing bridge and French hand sewing. Working in her beautiful yards in Raleigh and Morehead City were some of Martha Anne’s favorite pastimes. All her life she was an avid animal lover and enjoyed her many pets.
Martha Anne was preceded in death by her beloved husband William Hill Sigmon (Bill) in 2011.
She will be greatly missed by her family: her sons William Hill Sigmon Jr. and wife Mary Catherine; Lauriston Hardin Sigmon and wife Hannah; her daughter Martha Anne Marsh Sigmon McDonald and husband Con; her grandchildren LT. William Hill Sigmon III (USN) and wife Mallory; Thomas Marsh Sigmon; Mary Hannah Sigmon; Lucy Hardin Sigmon.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful caregivers with Homewerks Homecare, The Cardinal and Transitions LifeCare for the love and dedication they gave to Martha Anne.
Visitation will be held at the Carolina Country Club, 2500 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 5 pm to 7 pm.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church at 2 pm with a reception following in the church parish hall. A private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 120 E. Edenton St. Raleigh, NC 27601; Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; SPCA of Wake County, 200 Pathfinder Lane., Raleigh, NC 27603.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.
