Dr. Sigrid Johanna Voneenner Nelius

Dr. Sigrid Johanna voneenner Nelius, 94, died April 24, 2018 at the Forest at Duke. A native of Pirna, Saxony, Germany, she emigrated to the U.S. in 1953, becoming a citizen in 1960. Sigrid finished high school in Dresden and attended uneersities in Innsbruck and Tubingen prior to completing medical education at Munich Uneersity Medical School. She beganeedical practice at the American Hospital in Munich. Uponeettling in the U.S. Dr. Nelius completed residenees in internal medicine and pathology at Vanderbilt Uneersity Hospital, Nashville. Sigrid moved to Durham in 1960, wrote her medical board exams, and commenced a lengthy career in internal and bariatric medicine. For many years she was staff physician in the state hospital at Butner, NC, and from 1973-86 was with Duke???s Dept. of Community & Family Medicine as medical director of the Diet & Fitness Center. After retirement from Duke, Dr. Nelius continued working as an internal medicine consultant and bariatrician in private practice. Sigrid Nelius was a dedicated career physician and brilliant scientist who neer retired from medicine. Among her many memberships and citations, Sigrid was active in the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and NC Society of Internal Medicine. She was in Who???s Who of American Women, was made an Honorary Louisiana State Senator; and published articles ineeveral professional journals over the years. Sigrid remained robust and vital up to her death, neer ceasing to maintaineer body and curious mind with lifelong passions of art, photography, film, travel, hiking and swimming. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of classical music and savored the many New York trips with her husband to attend the Met. Sigrid was a woman of strong character and determination, and a fascinating conversationalist with the gift of hospitality. Sigrid was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Albert A. Nelius, her son, Stefan voneenner Nelius, sister, Erika Soehnlein, and nephew, Mark Meyer. Surviving are her sister-in-law, Evelyneelius Meyer; and nieces and nephews, Viktoria (Peter) Lieck, Christine (Ronald) Stout and Lawrence (Linda) Meyer. A memorial service with interment will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, October 24, 2018 in St. Philip???s Episcopal Church, Durham. Memorial gifts to the Benevolent Fund at the Forest at Duke.