In Memory

Ingeborg Grassman (Ziegahn)



 
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03/08/16 09:42 PM #1    

Lauren Holt

  

 

 

 

I don't know how many of you know that Inge was THE person in charge of "Little Whitney" at the Whitney Shop in New Canaan for decades. Her impeccable taste and sense of design was evident there every time I went in.

In addition to that, she planned ( with her husband Joe) a "Visit from Santa" at the Whitney Shop for many years. Joe was "Santa" and each child got to sit on his lap and then Mrs. Claus ( Inge) would snap a polaroid of each little visitor for them to take home. As you may have guessed my children were part of that excited lineup.

The first year my son went he was in a stroller at age not-quite-2-months, and my daughter stood dutifully by and gave his list as well as her own. I have every single one of those photos with my kids and Joe, who wore the same costume and the same festive socks and leather slippers every single year. The photo was always in a Whitney Shop envelope with "Merry Cristmas from Santa" written on it. Some years we took the prior years photo in with us to share with Santa so he could see how the kids had grown. He ALWAYS recognized us ( maybe it was the fact that Inge and I usually were talking and laughing together...) but it made a huge impression on my kids. Even after Kathryn stopped "believing" she went along so that Robert could still go see the same Santa he always had seen.

She was the kind of sweet thoughtful person that would come up with an idea like this for the kids of New Canaan. Her husband was just zany enough to pull it off, with great panache. She not only will be missed by her own family, but by mine as well. A dear sweet loving woman with terriffic talent. The shop has never been the same .

 

 

 

 


03/09/16 05:53 PM #2    

Keith McKenzie

It was sad to learn of Inge's death, as it brought back great memories of NCHS.  I took Inge to the Senior Prom, and what a great memory.  I found our Prom picture several years ago, and there was Inge stunning in her blue dress and glorious smile, and me with a facial expression that looked like I was being taken to my execution. I had meant to contact Inge to offer my apologies for that facial expression; don't photographer's take two photos, in case one is abysmal?  Anyways, I certainly have fond memories of that night at the NCCC, and will always remember her smile.


05/18/16 06:23 PM #3    

Sandy Harlow

Inge came to New Canaan in 1963 from Northfield, MA, and this is the text about her from the Northfield Class of 1966 50th reunion book.  

Ingeborg Grassman Ziegahn

7/24/1948 - 2/12/2005

 

After her freshman year in Hillside, Ingeborg continued her high school education at home, graduating in 1966 from New Canaan High School in New Canaan CT. She went to Augustana College in Sioux Falls SD where she met her husband, Joseph William Ziegahn. They married in 1968 and returned to New Canaan. Ingrid and Joseph had two daughters, Heidi and Kristina, and a son, William Jr. The wellbeing of her husband, three children, family, and friends was always her first priority. Ingeborg also worked in New Canaan at The Whitney Shop where she helped clothe and bring joy to multiple generations of adults and children. It was said in her obituary that “Her life was made up of momentary moments, but the ripples of joy she gave so freely will live eternally.” She left behind her husband, her children and their spouses, her father, and her brother and his wife.

 

Remembrances

I recall that Ingeborg was very warm and kind, but until you got to know her, she seemed quite shy and reserved. Still, she had a sharp wit and a wonderful sense of humor, and when she had a comment to offer, she would light up the room and get all of us laughing.            

                                                                                                     –  Helen Ellice Lyons

 

Ingeborg lived next door to me in Hillside freshman year. Helen is right; Ingeborg was the quintessential young German girl: Blonde curly hair, buxom and always a beaming smile. For some reason I picture her wearing a dirndl, but I am not sure if that is really true. She came home with me one weekend freshman year. I think it was in the fall. We had an exciting trip: we were almost in a car accident, and there was a huge fire near my house that we went to watch. It was big excitement for my home town, but unfortunately, we missed a big event at Northfield: the Ferrante and Teicher piano concert and their subsequent visit to Hillside. Sadly, she did not come back sophomore year, but I never knew why.                   

                                                                                            –  Jennifer Stevens Dunmire


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