Sieglinde was born in St Johann im Pongau near Saltzberg Austria, and her family soon moved to Wartberg im Muerztal, Styria - "The Green Heart of Austria". Their farm was 3000 feet up on the side of a mountain, without electricity or plumbing. The family was poor and life for her and her four brothers was difficult. But she later came to realize what a blessing it was to grow up in such a beautiful location, and in the loving family atmosphere she had. She especially grew to appreciate how her mother and father sacrificed to care for the children and make the best of difficult situations. This influenced her entire life such that she learned to seek goodness in people and make the best of challenging situations. As she often said, things could be worse.

The town was 1-1/2 hours down the mountain from the farm, and 2 hours back up the mountain. School attendence was spotty at best. She would often wait in the castle ruins half-way down the mountain for the church bell to ring at noon, so she could go home and have lunch.

Sieglinde's first job away from home was as a domestic in St. Aigen im Ennstal, where she wrote to her father every day to bring her back home, which he did after one summer. For a short time she was a nanny in Wartberg, then she worked in a bed and breakfast in the resort town of Simmering. Sieglinde moved to Upper Austria to live with her first husband's family, and then moved to Vienna. In Vienna she worked part-time as a house manager and private chef for an antique dealer, while working for the City of Vienna in sport-stadium operations, as a custodial worker and eventually a manager. She met her future husband in America while attending the wedding of her best friend, Eva, in 1993.

Sieglinde and Mark Cervi were married in June 1994 and she immediately left her life in Austria to live in Severna Park. Sieglinde attended AACC to learn English language and, to the surprise of her former friends and relatives, completely embraced the learning experience and became a proficient speaker and writer of English. The couple enjoyed travel, and together they toured the USA, driving to Florida and the western National Parks, with several trips to California to visit Mark's sisters, mixed in with trips back to Austria and motorcycle tours to upstate New York, New England, and the Appalachian Mountains. Sieglinde also enjoyed attending theatre, and loved dressing up for such occasions.

Sieglinde had a strong, no-nonsense personality, and she was loved by everyone who met her. She was unselfish and charitable. She enjoyed the art of conversation, and loved to entertain. Her Christmas cookies were legendary and she was a master chef, especially of Austrian-Hungarian-Czech cuisine. Sieglinde left this life without sorrow, and on her own terms, at home, with her friends, cats, and family. I believe Sieglinde would like to be remembered for the joy she brought to the lives of her husband, and all those who knew her.

Sieglinde is survived by her husband of 19 years Mark Cervi of Severna Park, her brothers Anton Bacher of Vienna, Alfred, Joseph and Stephen Fuerstl of Wartberg, and her sisters Hildegard Geissler of Mitterdorf and Barbara Gruber of Vienna, Austria.

Friends will be received on Thursday November 21 from 4 to 7 pm at Barranco and Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy in Severna Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.