Leila J. Rector (Sigler)        April 23, 1948      August 20,2024

We received a beautiful note from Sonya Sigler Morgan, Lee's daughter, notifying us of Lee's passing.   I pulled a summary that is stated at the end of the following Obituary information....beautifully stated and capturing the love she left to so many.

"Her life was a masterclass in embracing challenges and living fully. Lee lived by the philosophy of life is short and try everything once. Her legacy will be remembered through the countless lives she touched, the barriers she broke, and the humor and love she shared until the very end, when a stroke took its toll and her life. “There's no capturing in words the unique being that came into this world... There's only living, loving, connecting, and creating. There's only this one luminous moment that we share together. Let's make it count.” These wise words from Danna Faulds’ poem “Let’s Make It Count,” remind us to cherish our memories with Lee and to carry her spirit of courage, humor, and inclusiveness forward."

OBITUARY :

Deceased Classmate: Leila J Rector (Sigler)
Date Of Birth: 04-23-1948
Date Deceased: 08-20-2024
Age at Death: 76
Cause of Death: Stroke
Classmate City: Healdsburg
Classmate State: CA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: No 
Survived By: Lee is survived by her sister, Krista Rector (Michael Thompson), her brother, Keith Rector (Velia Andersen), her children Sonya Sigler (Keir Morgan) and Shane Sigler (Suchata Vareerek), and her six grandchildren, Jasper, Bryce, McKinley, Mai, Meeya, and Maki.
 

Leila Janine Rector Sigler, a woman of exceptional intelligence, wit, and independence, passed away on August 20, 2024, at the age of 76. She was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, breaking barriers in her career and personal life alike, all while maintaining a sense of humor and grace that touched everyone who knew her.

Lee, as she preferred to be called, was known for her natural beauty, which she embraced fully. She never wore makeup or even moisturizer, believing in the power of authenticity. Her beauty was complemented by her sharp mind and her ability to find humor in every situation—whether reading Mad magazine, watching a Monty Python movie, or just hanging out playing games like MahJong or Euchre - which she loved.

From a young age, Lee defied expectations and broke barriers. As a marksman, she helped her Mt. Lebanon High School rifle team become number 1 in the nation by shooting a perfect target, which she carried in her wallet the rest of her life. She went on to join the Purdue rifle team long before Title IX, and as a woman, wasn’t allowed to participate in competitions and that denial to compete had a permanent impact on her. Throughout her life, she continued to do the unexpected, like auto-crossing Porsches with her daughter on Mother’s Day.

Lee’s career was nothing short of groundbreaking. A math genius, she was a pioneer in the field of computer science earning a CS degree from Purdue and an MBA from Indiana University. She worked at Eli Lilly’s as a data systems analyst before opening her own consulting firm in Indianapolis. After divorcing and moving to California, she continued her career in Silicon Valley, starting at SRI, then working in early AI (expert systems) at Teknowledge, before beginning her long tenure at Sun Microsystems. During her career, Lee became a 7x patent holder and enjoyed her time as an expat in Munich, Germany, speaking at conferences all over the world, and being quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and other publications. Lee had a natural gift for emotional intelligence long before the term became popular, and her role as a mentor and manager was invaluable to the many women (and men) she guided throughout her career.

A lifelong learner, Lee believed that most learning happens outside the classroom. Her hobbies were as diverse and accomplished as her career. Lee mastered the fiber arts beginning at age of 8 and continuing throughout her life - sewing everything from children’s clothing to down jackets. Her other hobbies over the years were stained glass, making and refinishing furniture, gardening, reading, and traveling. She produced award-winning needlepoint, knitting, quilting, and beadwork and she was most proud of having one of her art quilts, ‘Shelter Me,’ showcased at the International Quilt Festival in Houston in 2023.

A meticulous planner, Lee was organized in all aspects of life, and she never met a chart or spreadsheet that she didn’t like. Her trips throughout the world were planned with precision (in a spreadsheet, of course), yet she delighted in finding unique and interesting stores or boutiques off the beaten path, especially if they involved interesting fabric, yarn, or beads. She believed deeply in the value of ‘women’s work’ and was a staunch advocate for giving credit where it was

due, often supporting local artists in whichever country she visited. Her final gifts, from a trip to Japan in early 2024, were a testament to her thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and gift-giving prowess.

An introvert at heart, Lee cherished her close friends, family, and neighbors. She thrived on the energy of being surrounded by friends and family and hosting gatherings in her museum-like house. She loved being a grandmother to six grandchildren—three boys and three girls—who were the light of her life. Her warmth extended beyond her immediate family; many of her children's friends saw her as a second mother, and even her grandchildren's friends appreciated her role as a mentor and role model, calling her Nana.

Her life was a masterclass in embracing challenges and living fully. Lee lived by the philosophy of life is short and try everything once. Her legacy will be remembered through the countless lives she touched, the barriers she broke, and the humor and love she shared until the very end, when a stroke took its toll and her life.

“There's no capturing in words the unique being that came into this world... There's only living, loving, connecting, and creating. There's only this one luminous moment that we share together. Let's make it count.” These wise words from Danna Faulds’ poem “Let’s Make It Count,” remind us to cherish our memories with Lee and to carry her spirit of courage, humor, and inclusiveness forward.

Lee is survived by her sister, Krista Rector (Michael Thompson), her brother, Keith Rector (Velia Andersen), her children Sonya Sigler (Keir Morgan) and Shane Sigler (Suchata Vareerek), and her six grandchildren, Jasper, Bryce, McKinley, Mai, Meeya, and Maki. In lieu of flowers Lee requested donations be made to KQED, KDFC, AAUW (Healdsburg Chapter for STEM projects) or the De Young Museum (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco).

KQED – https://www.kqed.org
KDFC - https://www.kdfc.com
AAUW – Healdsburg Chapter for STEM projects - https://healdsburg-ca.aauw.net De Young Museum - https://www.famsf.org/giving
[Poem reference: Danna Faulds - Let’s Make it Count]

FEEL FREE TO POST A COMMENT WHICH WILL BE RECEIVED AND TRANSFERRED TO HER FAMILY BY HER SISTER..... SONYA