Sigrid Brooks

Sigrid Brooks died on March 10, 2026 at Paul House in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 83 after complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She will be remembered for her fiercely independent spirit, her deep love of music, her lifelong pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, and her compassionate commitment to rescuing hard-to-place dogs of all sizes.

Sigrid Ellen Borge was born on November 13, 1942 in Evergreen Park, Illinois to Betty Cowie Borge and Michael Borge. Raised in Tinley Park and Evanston, she graduated from Roycemore School in 1960. She spent many formative summers in her parents’ hometown of Cambridge, Wisconsin, where her grandfather served as pastor of the East Koshkonong, Rockdale, and Cambridge Lutheran Churches. She went on to study sociology and psychology at the University of Arizona, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, graduating in 1964.

A defining chapter of her life was her service in the Peace Corps in Tegucigalpa, Honduras from 1966 to 1969, during which her son Michael was born. She later earned her MSW and LCSW from Loyola University and worked as a social worker at Catholic Charities of Chicago and Rainbow Hospice, where she helped lead the Good Mourning program for grieving children. In retirement she continued to offer comfort to others through her work with Threshold Choir and Harp for Healing.

Sigrid is survived by her son Michael (Christine Busby) of Chicago, dear cousins Doug (Christine) Culbert and Lori (Frank) Duckstein, and many longtime friends, including fellow Peace Corps volunteers. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Olaf, and her beloved dogs Rudy, Coco, Poopsie, Daisy, Shadow, Cinder, Lady, Confetti, Little Lady, and Rosita. Her two previous marriages ended in divorce. A private burial of her cremated remains is planned at East Koshkonong Cemetery outside Cambridge, Wisconsin.