In Memoriam: Hanne Sigismund Nielsen, Faculty of Arts

The University of Calgary is saddened by the death of associate professor of Classics and Religion, Dr. Hanne Sigismund Nielsen, PhD, who passed away on April 24 in Calgary at the age of 71.

Born in Odense and raised in Næstved, Denmark by Rita and Mogens Nielsen, Hanne grew up alongside her brother, Søren. Hanne was a lifelong scholar, a fierce intellect and a loving mother. She loved riding horses and was a very capable and accomplished equestrian. In her 30s, she was a devoted cyclist who rode everywhere in Copenhagen and Rome.

Her fascination with gravesites, gravestones and inscriptions inspired her enduring passion for compiling and sorting data. Hanne earned her PhD in classical philology in 1993 from Aarhus University and dedicated her career to the study of language, literature and epigraphy. She joined UCalgary’s Department of Greek and Roman Studies in 2001 and became an associate professor shortly thereafter.

Hanne’s research focused on Roman social history, especially ordinary Romans, and she was renowned for interpreting their lives through the inscriptions they left behind. Among her notable publications, Hanne co-edited Rom, en antik storby (1991) and Meals in a Social Context (1998; 2nd ed. 2002). Her extensive articles spanned topics from family structure and epitaphs to children in Roman society, including, “Delicia in Roman Literature and in the Urban Inscriptions” (1990) and, “Some Observations on the Commemoration of Pagan and Christian Infants in the City of Rome” (2019).

“Hanne is remembered for her groundbreaking scholarship in Roman social history and literature. Her influential studies of epitaphs, communal meals, family and gender roles, (and) slavery, as well as the lives of children in ancient Rome have left a lasting legacy,” recalls colleague Dr. Lisa Hughes, PhD, associate professor,  Department of Classics and Religion. "This legacy will continue to inspire our university community and classical studies worldwide. Requiescat in pace.”

Hanne served her department and the university in many leadership roles, including graduate co-ordinator, associate dean (research), acting head and head of the department during a significant reorganization. She was loved by colleagues and students for her sharp wit, generosity and intellectual curiosity.

She is survived by her sons, Mikkel Sigismund and Rasmus Sigismund, and her granddaughter, Beatrix, who brought her great joy.

A private family ceremony was held in Denmark, where her ashes were returned to her parents’ plot, according to her wishes. A Celebration of Life to honour her legacy among colleagues, students and friends will take place at noon on Oct. 1 at the Winspear Library (SS553).

The University of Calgary offers deep thanks to Dr. Hanne Sigismund Nielsen for the contributions she made to the university, her research field and the community at large. The flag on Swann Mall will be lowered to half mast on Oct. 1 to pay tribute to her life.