Kathleen Rose Sigmund

Kathleen Rose Sigmund, 70, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 7, 2023, following a difficult battle with cancer. Born in Canton, Ohio on January 13, 1952, to the late Robert and Betty (Smay) Stallman, Kathy was a lifelong resident of East Sparta, Ohio. In 1970, she graduated from Sandy Valley High School. In 1972, David Sigmund fell in love with Kathy at first sight and proposed two weeks later. The couple married on April 8, 1973. Prior to starting a family in 1977, Kathy was employed by the W. T. Grant Company. Although she dedicated countless hours to the East Sparta Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, emergency medical technician training, three bowling teams, and several other noble pursuits, Kathy’s true passion in life was caring for children.

While her daughters attended Sandy Valley Local Schools, Kathy served as a lunch lady, cafeteria monitor, receptionist, tutor, room mother, and member of the PTO at the elementary schools. She was a Girl Scout Troop leader for 12 years, co-directed the day camp at Sandy Valley Community Park with her husband for 5 years, and served as Cookie Chair for 7 years. Kathy’s home was always open to children in need of a babysitter, a slumber party, or a playdate. After her children were grown, Kathy worked at Aultman Hospital Child Care Center for over a decade.

Kathy surrounded her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with love and support. She was always there to offer a hug, an I Love You, a wave out the front door, a plate of her signature Rice Krispie Treats, a carefully chosen and meticulously underlined greeting card, and a helping hand with a Christening, a First Communion, a graduation party, a baby shower, or a wedding. Her ultimate joy was spending time with her grandchildren in Ohio and Tennessee playing in the yard, riding bikes, making crafts, coloring, cuddling, singing, and reading. As stated by her granddaughter Corrinne, “No matter where we go in life, no matter what we do, Marmie will be in our hearts forever and always.”

Kathy maintained a lifelong love of westerns, Roy Rogers, animals (especially turtles and deer), roses, and Avon. She loved Vera Bradley, gnomes, garage sales, making lists, scrapbooking, rocks, seashells, Goodwill, and action films, particularly Jurassic Park, Fast and Furious, and anything starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her grandson Joseph, great-granddaughter Ivy, cherished friend and mother figure Lila “Bernie” Bixler, cat Bianca, dogs Tippy and Pepé, grand-dog Button, and numerous other pets. She is survived by her husband David of nearly 50 years; daughters Krista (Eligio) Castillo, Karah (Steven) Haines, and Katrina Sigmund; grandchildren Vanessa, Alexis, Corrinne, Lowell, and Emery; great-grandchildren Amelia, Adalynn, Alina, and Lilith; dogs Cinnamon and Nola; grand-dog Stitch; siblings David, Rebecca, Kenneth, Michael, and Deborah; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Timken Family Cancer Center, Aultman Hospital, Aultman Home Hospice, Altercare at Nobles Pond, Absolute Home Healthcare, and Dr. Elana Norch for doing everything humanly possible to treat Kathy’s illness and to make her remaining time on Earth comfortable.

A funeral service will be held at Keighbaum-Sanders Funeral Home on Thursday, January 12th at 3:00pm with Deacon Randy Smith as celebrant.   Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.