Peggy Myers

Born in Chicago on May 1, 1933, to Helen and Nathan Silverstein, Peggy was predeceased by her husband, Charles (Chuck) B. Myers. She is survived by her sons, Mitchell and Rick (Noson); her daughter, Elizabeth; granddaughters Rivka Leah Kutner (Yechiel), Yehudit Hana Dracht (Uriel) and Ester Malka; great-granddaughters Tova (“Gitty”) Gitel and Ester Kutner; and great-grandson Binyomin “Benji” Dracht.

Peggy started out life on the northwest side of Chicago, where she and her brother, Shel Silverstein, were raised. Peg, Shel and Chuck were childhood friends. All attended Roosevelt High School in Chicago. After Chuck returned from a stint in the army, he sought Peggy out. As the family story goes, he climbed the stairs to her third-floor walk-up in Logan Square carrying a dozen yellow roses and wearing blue suede shoes. Their first date led to a marriage of 49 years and 10 months.

While Shel found his calling as a writer, illustrator, songwriter, and essayist, Peggy was drawn to visual art. She studied at Art Institute of Chicago and became an accomplished abstract painter, working primarily in acrylic. Her works remain in the homes of family and friends.

Shel saw international success as an author, and following his death in 1999, Peggy worked with his descendants and other members of the family to preserve and steward his creative legacy, including his poems, books, articles, songs, and drawings. She also helped guide the publication of posthumous works, including Every Thing On It (2011) and Runny Babbit Returns (2017), while serving as President of Evil Eye Publishing.

Peggy was tiny in stature but giant in personality. She was warm, funny, and exceptionally knowledgeable about an astonishing range of subjects. She loved spending time at her lake house in Wisconsin, in Key West, and with her son, daughter-in-law Zipora, and grandchildren on frequent trips to Israel.

A private family graveside service was held at Westlawn Cemetery, 7801 W. Montrose, Norridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peggy’s honor at the Children’s Literacy Initiative.