Sigrid Thomas was born on July 7, 1944, in the Tacoma General Hospital to Joseph Wade and Katherine Elizabeth (Nelson) Beal. One of seven children, Sigrid spent her childhood in Tacoma and on Vashon Island with her siblings at their family’s beach house where she swam, water skied, and played on the beach. She attended Wilson High School in Tacoma and maintained her childhood friends (even from as far back as kindergarten) for life.
Sigrid loved the Vashon community. One of her earlier jobs was at a Chinese Restaurant, Happy Garden. After that, she became a receptionist at Dr. Weispfenning’s office where she met and befriended many community members. She was involved with a local Vashon theater group called Drama Dock as a stage manager, actress, and producer. Sigrid was also chosen one year as Grand Marshal for the Vashon Strawberry Festival.
Sigrid studied education at Washington State University until she met her first husband and lifelong friend, Stephen Redfield. Together they had two children, Scott and Stephanie Redfield. Sigrid and Stephen traveled and lived in several different states including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Alabama. However, after going separate ways, Sigrid moved back to the town she loved, Vashon, in 1979.
She would later marry her second husband, Dean Thomas and continue to be involved in the Vashon community, frequently volunteering at the Senior Center. Sigrid was an animal lover, and in the last years of her life kept the company of three cats, Magellan, Merlin, and Sharky, and one dog, Ladybug. She was also an artist who painted miniatures for a time and practiced a Swedish form of painting called Rosemaling.
Sigrid was constantly thinking of others and what she could do for them. Winter holidays were a favorite of hers, and in the last months of her life she planned out gifts for her family to ensure they’d have a Christmas present even after her death. Everyone who met Sigrid loved her and her big heart and caring soul will be dearly missed.
Sigrid was preceded in death by her husband Dean Thomas, former husband and friend Stephen Redfield, parents Joseph and Katherine, and her sister Mirium Beal. She is survived in death by her daughter Stephanie Redfield and son Scott Redfield of Washington; grandson Oliver; sister Kristen Goronwich of Florida; sisters Mary Pulido, Louisa Beal, and Pam Beal-Knight of Washington; brother Joseph Beal of Washington; and many nieces, nephews, and other members of a large and loving family.
Sigrid died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on November 12, 2022 at age 78. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church,1001 Princeton St., Fircrest, WA 98466. In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Sigrid’s name to the American Cancer Society or to your local animal shelter.
