In loving memory of
Sigrid Berta Lyons
June 13, 1943 - December 10, 2022
Sigrid Berta (Berger) Lyons, 79, passed away peacefully with her companion Tom Johnson by her side on December 10th, 2022, in Phoenix, AZ. Sigrid was born in Hamburg Germany on June 13th, 1943, to Heinrich and Marie Berger. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Helmut and her beloved husband James David Lyons. Sigrid or "Sigi" was born during World War II and was fortunate, along with her family, to escape the relentless allied bombing of Hamburg in June and July of 1943. Sigi and her family spent the rest of the war in southern Bavaria Germany and returned to Hamburg in late 1945 once World War II concluded. The post war years in Hamburg were difficult, the city was scarred by fascism and her parents had to start all over from nothing but the love and loyalty for each other. While growing up in Hamburg Sigi thrived in multiple sports including Team Handball and Soccer or Fussball. Sigi graduated high-school or Gymnasium in 1960 and then worked as a teletype operator in Darmstadt Germany. While living in Darmstadt Sigi met her future husband Jim while he served in the US Army in the same city. Sigi followed Jim to the United States and were united in marriage on October 30, 1965, in Chicago IL. To this union three children were born David, Christine, and Thomas. The couple lived a long and prosperous life together till the premature death of Jim in 1999.
In 1983 Jim and Sigi took a leap of faith and uprooted their family from Elk Grove Village IL., and moved to Scottsdale, AZ. Soon after Jim and Sigi started a successful food brokerage business which they ran for several years until his death. Sigi's two passions in life were her family and soccer and not necessarily in that order. Sigi played the position of attacking sweeper back for several Phoenix, AZ., women's soccer clubs and continued to play actively well into her sixties. Sigi also had a tremendous passion for cooking, gardening, singing and was an excellent host/caregiver throughout her life.
Sigi was an avid reader and loved to travel, but some of her favorite destinations were always close to home including trips to the family cottage in Show Low AZ to escape the summer heat. She was a loyal fan of Hamburger Sport-Verein, Chicago Cubs, Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona Cardinals. Her favorite athletes of all time were Uwe Seeler and Larry Fitzgerald.
Sigi was a kind, humble and loving soul. She touched the lives of so many people and will be missed. We are comforted in the belief she is with our lord once again enjoying greatconversations with her adoring husband Jim Lyons, long-time companion Keith Fenton andthe loving arms of her parents.
Sigi is survived by her three children: David Lyons (Jody), Christine Wright (David) and Thomas Lyons. Additionally, she also leaves behind her brother Jurgen Berger (Renata),Cousin Rita (Peter) Steinbach, loving companion Tom Johnson and host of admiring friends.
Her children are grateful to Tom Johnson for his love and support of their mother over the last few years of her life. They were a special couple and enjoyed each other immensely.
All burial services will be private. However, there will be a celebration of life, open to all friends and family, held at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery at 6500 East Bell Road Phoenix AZ. 85254 on January 21st, 2023, from 11am to 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.
For those who were unable to attend, please view the following link for the service recording: https://vimeo.com/789084938