Penny Sittner
Imogene "Penny" Sittner
Imogene "Penny" Sittner served as Oregon Chapter President from 1982 through 1983. Penny was an active researcher and published a book titled A Sittner family history: some descendants of Wilhelm Sittner 1720-1800 in 1997 and Edith, a diary: found among the papers of Edith Myrtle Clark Leghorn, 1893-1995. She also created a index for the Norka, Russia surname charts prepared by Dr. Igor Pleve.
Born Imogene Leghorn, she was born in The Dalles, Oregon on September 22, 1918 to Frank and Edith Leghorn. She attended elementary school in Arlington, Oregon and the family moved to Portland in 1925. Imogene graduated from Gregory Heights Elementary and U.S. Grant High Schools. In 1936 she entered the Portland Extension of Albany College (now Lewis & Clark College) on a music scholarship and graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended the University of Washington in Seattle during the summer of 1940 to gain an Oregon Teacher’s Certificate, then taught at high schools in Paisley, Oregon and Dufur, Oregon in 1941 and 1942.
Imogene was proud to serve her country, joining the WAC in 1944 and attending Army Boot Camp, Leadership School and Officers Candidate School at Fort Des Moines, IA. She graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant and served until 1947. Her awards included the WW II Victory Medal and American Theater Ribbon.
After the war she became the private secretary of the Portland Division Manager of Shell Oil Company.
Imogene met her future husband, Wilhelm John Sittner M.D., at a barbecue at the home of his sister Lydia Hendrickson. She and Bill were married on May 21, 1955. They had three children: Valerie Jean, Carol Diane and Clark Philip.
Born Imogene Leghorn, she was born in The Dalles, Oregon on September 22, 1918 to Frank and Edith Leghorn. She attended elementary school in Arlington, Oregon and the family moved to Portland in 1925. Imogene graduated from Gregory Heights Elementary and U.S. Grant High Schools. In 1936 she entered the Portland Extension of Albany College (now Lewis & Clark College) on a music scholarship and graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended the University of Washington in Seattle during the summer of 1940 to gain an Oregon Teacher’s Certificate, then taught at high schools in Paisley, Oregon and Dufur, Oregon in 1941 and 1942.
Imogene was proud to serve her country, joining the WAC in 1944 and attending Army Boot Camp, Leadership School and Officers Candidate School at Fort Des Moines, IA. She graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant and served until 1947. Her awards included the WW II Victory Medal and American Theater Ribbon.
After the war she became the private secretary of the Portland Division Manager of Shell Oil Company.
Imogene met her future husband, Wilhelm John Sittner M.D., at a barbecue at the home of his sister Lydia Hendrickson. She and Bill were married on May 21, 1955. They had three children: Valerie Jean, Carol Diane and Clark Philip.
Dr. Wilhelm J. and Imogene Sittner
Imogene was completely and lovingly devoted to her family. She and their children accompanied Bill on many of his medical conference trips, traveling to beautiful locations and creating fun and memorable family vacations, including a trip to New York State and Washington DC for the bi-centennial in 1976. Imogene and Bill attended and supported their children’s many activities and events. They enjoyed hosting family gatherings at their home, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and special events.
Her hobbies included painting in oil and watercolor, sketching, reading, puzzles, genealogy, and using her computer to create custom greeting cards to send to family and friends. She also enjoyed singing, playing the piano and the violin. She was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, First Presbyterian Church, PEO sorority, and Oregon Society of Artists.
Imogene Sittner passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2015 in Laguna Woods, California at the age of 96. She was survived by her daughters Valerie Aitken and son-in-law Edward of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Carol Wright and son-in-law Thomas of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren Tara Aitken and Andrew Aitken, two nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilhelm and their son Clark. She was interred at the Rose City Cemetery and Funeral Home in Portland.
Her hobbies included painting in oil and watercolor, sketching, reading, puzzles, genealogy, and using her computer to create custom greeting cards to send to family and friends. She also enjoyed singing, playing the piano and the violin. She was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, First Presbyterian Church, PEO sorority, and Oregon Society of Artists.
Imogene Sittner passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2015 in Laguna Woods, California at the age of 96. She was survived by her daughters Valerie Aitken and son-in-law Edward of Trabuco Canyon, CA, Carol Wright and son-in-law Thomas of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren Tara Aitken and Andrew Aitken, two nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilhelm and their son Clark. She was interred at the Rose City Cemetery and Funeral Home in Portland.