Ingrid Siller Biggins

Published 5:03 pm Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ingrid Siller Biggins, 70, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 21 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Ingrid had been in the care of the Hospice J. F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville, N.C.

Born in East Germany, Ingrid was the daughter of Frieda Siller, now of Springfield, Mass. and the late Hugo Siller. Ingrid and her family had a harrowing escape from East Germany to West Germany after trying times during World War II. After two years in the Berlin area, they were sponsored by her uncle to come to the United States. She was 13 years old when they arrived to live in Springfield, Mass.

Ingrid had lived in Asheville for the last 32 years. She was a very caring person, and retired as a CNA for Mission Hospital. Ingrid loved to travel and was an enthusiastic hiker. She hiked the Appalachian Trail when she was in her 60s. She hiked many sections of the mountain to the sea trail.

Ingrid enjoyed staying fit and was an active participant in yoga classes and the Livestrong program at the YMCA. She also had a special passion for caring for her many indoor plants and cooking for her family. Another of Ingrid’s interests was sculpting in clay. She created numerous interesting pieces – a number of them at Tryon Painters and Sculptors studio, here in Tryon.

Ingrid was a frequent visitor to Tryon. She loved to visit FENCE with her friend Jim, to watch the waterfowl and the fish at the pond, hike the trails and sit in the rocking chairs on the porch of the old log cabin.

Ingrid frequently attended the Congregational Church and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meetings. She also greatly enjoyed visiting the local art galleries.

Ingrid is survived by her mother, Frieda Siller of Springfield, Mass.; a son, Kirk Biggins (Karen) of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Tania Kriegler (Frank) of Asheville, N.C.; brothers, Gerd Siller (Joanne) of Springfield, Mass., Klaus Siller (Patty) of Juneau, AK, Peter Siller (Alison) of Springfield, Mass., Rolf Siller (Jo Anne) of Springfield, Mass.; two grandchildren, Abby and Joey Kriegler of Asheville, N.C., and her close friend, Jim Johnston of Tryon.

A memorial service for Ingrid will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Tryon, conducted by the Reverend Robert Barrows. The church is located at 210 Melrose Avenue in Tryon. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall.