Sigrid “Sigi” Veil Hendrickson

Published 9:51 am Friday, October 18, 2024

Sigrid “Sigi” Veil Hendrickson of Saluda, NC passed away on October 15, 2024, at Wendover Hospice House. Born in Crailsheim Germany, on June 14, 1928, to Adelaide and Ulrich Veil, Sigi was the oldest daughter of nine children. She was energetic, with a quick wit, deep loyalty, and adventurous spirit.

In the early 1950s, she boarded an ocean liner and crossed the Atlantic on her own to come to Tryon, NC. She married Norman “Bud” Hendrickson in 1965, and they lived in New Jersey, before retiring to Saluda. Sigi took pride in being a naturalized American citizen and also in her German roots. Her tenacity and gumption instilled early in life propelled her through her 96 years! A volunteer for everything Saluda, Sigi loved her town and everyone in it. Wherever she went she brought something to share; most requested were her intricate Christmas cookies and famous German Potato Salad. She was a gardener and nature lover who whimsically fed the birds and squirrels that visited her deck for their daily feasts.

Sigi was a creative artisan – sewing outfits for herself and knitting sweaters and blankets for newborns and warm socks for the troops. She was the matriarch of her family, paving the way for her brother Hartmut Veil and sister Ursula Ward-Common to come to America. Known affectionately as Tante Sigi to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, she was much beloved.

Sigi was able to live independently until the last few months of her life because of the outpouring of friends who took her to lunch and appointments, delivered groceries and called to check in. Her family is grateful to her longtime friends and to the new ones she met along the way during her courageous battle with cancer.

Sigi is survived by her sister Mechi, and brothers-in-law Herbert, Manfred, and Gunther in Germany; brother Hartmut and his wife Tuula in Saluda; and numerous nieces and nephews in the USA and Europe. Sigi’s Celebration of Life Service will be November 16, 2024 at 3:00pm at the Saluda United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow. Memorials may be given to the Saluda Pantry.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon