N

ancy Ellen Siegel, 
72, (née Mitchnick), 
beloved wife, moth-
er, sister, aunt, niece, cousin 
and friend, passed March 19, 
2022. 
A Detroit native, she 
graduated with distinction 
from Mumford 
High School 
and Wayne State 
University’s 
Monteith College 
and commenced 
a lifelong career 
of service to oth-
ers. Her ability to 
gain people’s trust 
and understand 
their needs and 
dreams propelled 
her through posi-
tions in the arbitration, med-
ical administration and real 
estate professions.
Nancy and her husband, 
Alan, met in 1973 at a party 
that their respective friends 
had encouraged them to 
attend. Alan remarked, “I fell 
in love with her at first sight; 
with her beauty and keen 
mind, I felt I was the lucki-
est guy in the world.” They 
married soon after and were 
blessed with the birth of their 
son Joshua in 1979. Nancy 
and Alan rejoiced in raising 
Joshua and their 48-year long 
marriage.
In addition to centering 
her life on Alan and Joshua, 
Nancy also loved celebrat-
ing holidays with extended 
family, attending the theater 
and traveling. She possessed 
a strong Jewish identity and 
was a dedicated member of 
Temple Kol Ami, serving in 
its sisterhood and member-
ship and fundraising com-
mittees. Throughout her life, 
Nancy was also an advocate 
for social justice, notably 

pursuing action to advance 
workers’ rights, racial equity 
and LGBTQ+ rights. Her son 
Josh recalled that, “My mom 
taught me from an early age 
that all people are worthy of 
dignity and respect.”
Faced with medical issues 
in midlife, Nancy 
persevered and 
continued family 
activities and 
community 
involvement. “We 
cherished these 
extra years with 
Nancy, with the 
joys, the tears, 
and the adven-
tures,” said her 
sister Karen.
Nancy will 
be deeply missed by all who 
knew her and were touched 
by her kindness, warmth, 
generosity of spirit and sense 
of humor.
Nancy is survived by 
husband, Alan Siegel; son, 
Joshua Siegel (partner Paul); 
sister, Karen Strichartz; niece, 
Jessica Strichartz; nephew, 
Aaron Strichartz (partner, 
Sarah) aunts, cousins and 
many friends. Nancy’s family 
would like to offer special 
thanks to Nancy’s caregiv-
ers and the hospice staff at 
Chester Street Residence, who 
provided her with exceptional 
care and comfort.
Nancy was preceded 
in death by her parents, 
Abraham and Sylvia (née 
Pasmanter) Mitchnick.
Interment was at Adat 
Shalom Memorial Park. 
Contributions may be 
made to the Blood Cancer 
Foundation of Michigan or 
Leader Dogs for the Blind. 
Arrangements by Dorfman 
Chapel. 

A Generous Spirit

MARCH 31 • 2022 | 109

Nancy Siegel

ity to excel at everything she 
undertook. 
An outstanding scholar, she 
also shone in creative pursuits, 
attending Interlochen National 
Music Camp and Cass Tech 
High School, where she won 
notice as a pianist, harpist 
and ballet dancer. Equally 
outstanding in athletics, she 
starred in high diving, ice 
skating and even baseball for 
an intramural men’s college 
team.
In 1973, she attended the 
University of Michigan, 
moving on to its medical 
school, where she achieved 
a residency in dermatology, 
the first woman to do so in 
35 years. She became a fellow 
of the American Academy of 
Dermatology and paved the 
way for other women.
While in training, she met 
and married fellow student, 
Joel Ross. The two physicians 
moved to San Diego. There, 
Linda maintained a large 
practice with many devoted, 
grateful clients.
A series of chronic illnesses 
forced early retirement, but 
she continued to pore over 
the latest medical journals to 
keep up with advancements in 
her field. Despite recurring ill-
ness and pain, she was always 
warm, loving and charitable to 
a fault. She never failed to dis-
play humility, grace, kindness 
and consideration to others. 
She was loved, admired and 
respected by all who knew her.
During her 50+ years of 
marriage to Joel, she saw her 
son Andrew become a der-
matologist and marry Tiffany 
Green, whom Linda loved like 
a daughter. During her final 
years, her greatest joys were 
her two grandsons, Jordan and 
Kobe. 
She is interred at El Camino 
Memorial Park in San Diego, 
Calif.

SUSAN RYCUS, 
75, of Howell, died 
March 15, 2022. 
She is survived 
by her daughter, 
Shari Klein; many 
other loving family members 
and friends. 
Susan was the daughter of 
the late Ida and the late Lou 
Rycus; sister of the late Bob 
Rycus and the late Brenda 
Rycus. 
Interment took place at Beth 
El Memorial Park Cemetery 
in Livonia. Contributions may 
be made to the Alzheimer’s 
Association. Arrangements by 
Dorfman Chapel.

CELIA SIGMAN, 
96, of Skokie, Ill., 
died March 22, 
2022.
She is survived 
by her sons and 
daughters-in-law, 
Dr. Garry and Helen Sigman, 
Barry and Katherine Sigman; 
daughter, Carol Shuster; 
grandchildren, Dr. Richard 
(Emily) Shuster, Dr. Adam 
(Dr. Anna) Shuster, Andrew 
Sigman, Lee (Jenna) Sigman, 
Dr. Michael (Dr. Joselyn) 
Sigman, and Joshua (Mariella) 
Sigman; great-grandchild-
ren, Ryan, Ari, Jacob, Maya, 
Zachary and Cooper; many 
other loving family members 
and friends. 
Mrs. Sigman was the 
beloved wife of the late Julius 
Sigman; the mother-in-law of 
the late Dr. Allen Shuster. 
Interment took place at 
Clover Hill Park Cemetery in 
Livonia. Contributions may 
be made to Detroit Public 
Televison-DPTV or the Red 
Cross. Arrangements by 
Dorfman Chapel.

c. 1944