Sigríður "Sigga" Stefanía Benediktsdóttir

Sigríður "Sigga" Stefanía Benediktsdóttir, 78, of Mount Penn, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Reading Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, she was the daughter of the late Benedikt Guðbjartsson and Magnúsína Jakobsdóttir.

Sigga's life was a tapestry of resilience, creativity, and heart. Outgoing and welcoming, she loved inviting family and friends into her home to celebrate holidays and enjoy her infamous home-cooked Icelandic meals. Sigga was feisty when life demanded it - and feisty, too, when it didn't. Stubborn when it mattered, and sometimes when it didn't matter at all - but one thing is certain: she lived life on her own terms, with a spirit that could never be tamed. She had a unique magnetism, a personality unlike any other. Although she carried scars that shaped her from her childhood, she never stopped striving to do the best she could with the life she was given. Imperfect, as all of us are, she reminded us that humanity lies not in flawlessness but in perseverance, in showing up again and again for the people and things that matter.

Icelandic was Sigga's first language, but she very quickly learned English after moving to the United States in 1975 and effortlessly adapted to the American culture. Despite her emigration status and lack of advanced education, her children remember her always having a job, always carrying her weight, always moving forward. Yet even in the midst of life's responsibilities, she managed to carve out spaces for beauty and creativity. With gifted hands and an eye for detail, she stitched cheerleading uniforms with precision, expertly painted ceramics, and designed floral arrangements bursting with life. Not only was she able to throw together a gourmet meal with three ingredients from a bare refrigerator, but she could decorate a birthday cake as if it came from an award-winning Beverly Hills bakeshop.

Despite always working full-time, Sigga made it a priority to attend her children's sporting events and cheered them on with her adorable Icelandic accent - yelling louder than anyone else in the stands. And when her kids grew up, she continued to cheer - this time for her favorite soccer team, the Arsenal Football Club.

Sigga loved horses. She loved cats. She was an avid reader, devouring books in both Icelandic and English. Through her love of reading, she built bridges between her two worlds, nourishing her mind with curiosity and imagination.

Finally, Sigga's loyalty to her friends was unwavering. She stood by them through joy and hardship, celebrating victories and carrying burdens with equal devotion. Her friendships were lifelong and true, a testament to her fierce commitment to those she loved. She leaves behind not only her family and friends, but also the lessons she taught us: that strength can be found in persistence, that beauty can be created with one's own two hands, that language and learning connect us across boundaries, and that loyalty is one of life's greatest treasures. She showed us also that perfection is never the goal - love, resilience, and authenticity are. Her story will continue in every thread she sewed, in every flower she arranged, in every book she held close. And in the hearts of those who loved her, she will remain - feisty, steadfast, imperfect, yet so incredibly unforgettable.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary of the New Life Bible Fellowship Church located at 2960 W. Philadelphia Avenue, Oley, Pennsylvania. A reception will follow in the church's Connection Center until 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Humane Pennsylvania at www.humanepa.org in her honor. We will not be saying goodbye. Instead, we will carry her forward - in stories, in laughter, in love - until we meet again.

Sigga is survived by her children, Jakob Garðarsson and his wife, Sólrún Óskarsdóttir; Katrín Benedikt and her husband Neil Uskali; and Marco Soto and his wife Jennifer (Reichert) Soto. She is also survived by her sister, Hanna Benediktsdóttir and her husband, Pálmi Guðmundsson, as well as her two amazing grandchildren and five beautiful great-grandchildren. Sigga was preceded in death by her beloved son, Stefán Águst; her brother, Guðbjartur Benediktsson; and her sister, Erna Benediktsdóttir.

Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.