Surrounded by her loved ones Signe Stephens passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025.  She is irreplaceable and will be forever in our hearts and minds.

Signe was the first child of Sidney and Margaret Cottrell who were living in Romulus, Michigan when she was born.  The family moved to Granville Ohio in the 1950s.  Signe attended Granville High School where she was honored with the title of Homecoming queen and graduated in 1956.  Following high school, she attended Technical College before accepting a secretarial position at Moores, Incorporated.  Over the next few years, she would also work as a title clerk for an auto agency among other things as she developed a reputation for being a dedicated employee.

In 1957 Signe married the late David Leland Roberts with whom she had three children, Scott, Steve and Elizabeth.  After the marriage ended in 1972, Signe began working as a data entry clerk at Westinghouse in Newark, Ohio advancing to the position of claims processor over time.  While working at Westinghouse, Signe also met her future husband Paul Stephens in 1973.  They married in 1979 and moved to Apopka, Florida.

Signe and Paul put down roots in Apopka where she found a career at J and P Property. J and P fit Signe and she worked there from 1980 until 2009 when she retired.  Her work included payroll processing which was a perfect match for Signe's caring attention to detail.  She was always keen to be sure that employees received their paychecks without errors and on-time!

Signe's time in Apopka was also been marked by many joyous events as she watched her children grow, marry and have many cherished grandchildren.  Over time, as great-grandbabies began to arrive, Signe was delighted.  She relished being 'Gigi' to these precious family additions.  She was also thrilled when her parents and sister began spending extended time in Central Florida during the winters.  Signe took great pride in hosting them all for many holidays and family celebrations.  She and Paul liked crusing and took many trips especially enjoying sailing to the Eastern Caribbean, St. Thomas and St. Martin.  A highlight of 2015 included the purchase of a motor home.  Over the next few years, Signe and Paul traveled the United States taking several trips that included memorable stops in Yellowstone, Devil's Tower, Seattle, St. Louis and visiting with Signe's brother Mick in California.  In 2017 Signe and Paul traveled all the way to Canada enjoying a memorable visit to our northern neighbor and a stop to share some time with Paul's older brother Ed as well.  All of these experiences gave Signe a full and exciting life filled with much love and laughter.

Signe is survived by her husband, Paul Stephens.  Her sons Scott and Steve Roberts and daughter Elizabeth Porter (Robert).  Survivors in her extended family include her sister Sue Ward (Larry), brother Sidney 'Mick', Cottrell (Terri) and brother-in-law Arthur Stephens.  Signe is also survived by Paul's children, Brian (Lisa), Craig (Claire) and David Stephens.  There are eight surviving grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Signe is preceded in death by her parents Sidney and Margaret Cotrell.  Her first husband David Roberts and grandson Drew Stephens.

All of us who knew and loved Signe will miss her laughter and the genuine nurturing way she cared for everyone.  She was a master of getting people engaged in conversation and made sure that all felt included.  Having Signe in our lives made us all richer.  She had a spark that lit up a room whenever she entered it.  Signe leaves us with more than memories; she leaves us with the knowledge that each family member was seen, valued and prized.  Her unwavering faith in her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family will both inspire and challenge each of us to live up to her legacy of love for all.