Peggy Elias passed away peacefully and on her own terms on January 24, 2017. The former Margaret Ann Emerson was born September 4, 1944, in Liberty, Miss., to James and Beatrice Emerson. In 1945, she and her family moved to Akron, where she attended Crouse Grade School, West Junior High, and Ellet High School, graduating in 1962. While at Ellet, she had the lead role in the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.”
Peggy attended The University of Akron for a short time but left after winning the 1963 Miss Ohio Beauty Contest and representing Ohio in the Miss America Pageant the same year. Peggy’s singing in the Miss America Pageant caught the ear of Fred Waring, and she became a soloist. She opened Waring’s shows, traveling with Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians through 1964, and performed as the lead in the Chrysler Industrial Show in 1965.
After the Chrysler Show, Peggy was introduced by Betty Jaycox to Akron, Ohio-based Eddie Elias Enterprises, which signed Peggy to a contract that sent her to New York to begin a successful modeling career. Peggy quickly became one of the most sought-after models and TV commercial actresses in the United States and Canada and, at one point, had a dozen different TV commercials on the air simultaneously. Her face adorned numerous magazine covers, including the Sunday Beacon, catalogs, calendars, and retail items. She was the Breck hairspray girl and to this day can be seen on Venida hair packages. She also modeled for numerous products and companies, including Colgate 100, Texaco, Jean Nate, Anacin, Eastern Airlines, Pepsodent, Ultrabrite, Avon, and Sears. In 1968, she turned down several movie offers to come home to Akron to marry the man who was her attorney and manager and founder of the Professional Bowlers Association – University of Akron alumnus Edward G. “Eddie” Elias
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After returning to her hometown, Peggy flourished in her second career as a mother and an active community volunteer – and both roles brought her great joy. She and Eddie welcomed two daughters, Rainy Margaret and Annie Marlo, and they (along with their families) filled her life with an endless source of happiness, enjoyment, and pride. In return, Peggy was her daughters’ love, their rock, and their best friend throughout their lives.
The same care she lavished on her family, Peggy also provided to the community, serving as a longtime member of Witan (Women in Touch with Akron’s Needs); volunteering with the Surgery Department at Akron Children’s Hospital, Mobile Meals, and the Tuesday Musical Association; and teaching Sunday school. She also sang in the St. George Orthodox Church and was an active member of the St. Cecilia Society, whose members became her very dear friends.
In addition, Peggy was a tireless supporter of The University of Akron, which named her an honorary alumna in 1997 in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication. She served UA as president of the Buchtelles, raising money for student scholarships, and was featured as a guest soloist on the University’s 1979 Christmas album, considered to be one of the best albums of the season. She also served as a member of the Stewardship Committee of The University of Akron Foundation, was a generous donor to the College of Business Administration, and was instrumental in creating the Edward G. Elias Bowling Center in the Student Union, which houses important memorabilia from Eddie’s years with the PBA and Peggy’s career as a spokeswoman and model. Most recently, she was deeply committed to helping UA students through the annual Edward G. Elias Bowling Tournament, the country’s only collegiate bowling competition that offers cash prizes toward tuition.
Along with her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her stepfather Alva Jarvis, and in 1998 her husband Eddie, for whom she provided three years of loving care following a stroke. She is survived by her Aunt Mary Lou Conn and sister Linda Williams, both of Terra Alta, W.Va., and numerous loving relatives and friends. With great sadness, Peggy also leaves her bright, beautiful daughters: Rainy (Chris Staniszewski) of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Annie (Adrian Garcia) of Columbus, Ohio, as well as the grandchildren she adored: Edie Staniszewski, and Emerson and Alec Garcia.
Peggy possessed a genuine beauty and goodness that radiated from within and endeared her to so many throughout her life. In her final days, she was rewarded with the same beauty and goodness from the loving, compassionate nurses and caregivers at the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center. Thanks to their extraordinary care, Peggy’s most difficult days were comfortable and peaceful, and Peggy and her daughters wish to express their eternal gratitude for this special gift.
In lieu of flowers, Peggy hopes you will consider helping young people with a gift to the Edward G. Elias Bowling Tournament or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Give to the tournament at www.uakron.edu/donate or mail a check (payable to the UA Foundation) to The University of Akron, Department of Development, Akron, OH 44325-2603. Give to St. Jude at www.stjude.org/give or mail a check to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Catavolos Funeral Home 3653 W Market St Fairlawn, OH. Funeral Service is on Monday, January 30th at 10:30 AM in Faith Lutheran Church 2726 W Market St Fairlawn, OH. Entombment Greenlawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.catavolosfuneralhome.com
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