A Life Well Lived
My mother passed away on Friday. This is her with her great grandchildren on Christmas day. Please read the obituary of this extraordinary woman below and remember to tell the people you love how much they mean to you today.
The world lost a true force of nature when Peggy Crystal Michelman, 90, passed away on January 20, 2023. Though Peg’s professional accomplishments were extraordinary, her proudest moments and greatest achievements were the love she had for her family and her family for her.
“Nana” was adored by her four children and their spouses, Dave (Claudia), Beth (Gary), Jill (Tom), and Amy (Kevin). Her ten grandchildren were the apple of her eye and her love of her three great grandchildren was palpable. She kept her husband, Chuck, who passed away in 1981, close to her heart until the day she died.
Every year, Nana rented a beach house to ensure that her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren would stay connected, which accounts for the incredible bond that the family now has. In addition to loving the beach, Peg loved travel and went on many exciting adventures throughout her life - safaris to Africa; explorations of the Galapagos, heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies, to name a few.
Peg was a feminist (though she hated the term and would never consider herself one) before feminism existed. In the early 1960’s, she ran the Congressional office of Ogden Reid and spearheaded his campaigns. Virtually no women had such responsibilities at that time. After she left her work with Reid, she co-founded a community relations firm, Reid, Michelman and Associates.
In her fifties through her late eighties, she put her significant analytic and people skills to work as a financial consultant for Circle Advisors. She earned the trust of her many clients who respected her wisdom and felt heard and empowered.
Peg’s big heart and her desire to give back to the community was a key component of her magnificent life. She was a true civic leader and donated countless hours as Chair of the Board of Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Chair of the Planning Board of North Castle, NY, and on the Armonk Library Board of Directors.
In her memory, please spend some time today telling those closest to you that you love them. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Blythdale Children’s Hospital.
While I was not lucky enough to have met your mother, this beautiful, heartfelt description reflects the wonderful job she did of raising a good man, and I’m confident something similar can be said about all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. What a beautiful legacy! Much love brother