Margaret “Peggy” Berger
BERGER: Margaret “Peggy” Berger, 91, of Shadyside in Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024, after a short illness. Peggy was born on Dec. 26, 1932, the youngest of 10 children, to Frank and Cecelia (Trunak) Hornick, of Cheswick, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her devoted partner of 20 years, Leroy Johnston, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania, a son Jonathan Berger, of Pittsburgh, a daughter Jennifer Berger Cohen, of Marlton, New Jersey, and a grandson, Alexander Cohen, of Philadelphia, and many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two “step-daughters,” Linda Wilson and Joyce Miller, and their families, who loved her and welcomed her into the fold without reservation. Peggy brought immeasurable joy and light into everyone’s lives with her kind heart, radiant smile and boundless curiosity. She was a lifelong learner, being the first of her family to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Science in education, and then ultimately earning her master’s degree of urban and regional planning. She worked in such diverse capacities as fourth grade teacher at Shady Side Academy Junior School, a realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate, an acquisition aide for Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, and finally retired from perhaps her favorite occupation, as an adult probation officer for Allegheny County. She was a “people person” and she effortlessly made everyone feel like the only person in the room. Peggy was a progressive, independent woman, and from all accounts…a firecracker! She continued her passion for learning even after retirement by signing up for classes in whatever caught her attention — conversational Italian, yoga, Pilates, fundamentals of football, harmonica, piano, mahjong, knitting and tennis, to name a few. She was an avid reader, enjoying many genres, especially history, politics, autobiographies, and was always well-versed in current fashion trends and styles. Her knitted hats and scarves were much coveted holiday gifts each year. Peggy will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania. Friends were received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Monday June 24, 2024, from 11 a.m. until a funeral service in the funeral home at 1 p.m. Interment in Deer Creek Cemetery will be private. freyvogelfuneralhome.com PJC
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