Tributes from colleagues, clients and friends
peg stewart, green tree times creator, editor and publisher of 25+ years will be missed
Peg Stewart once said, 'Life is all about options, and whether or not you choose to see them.' A wise, caring and nurturing soul, Peg had a way of seeing beyond the circumstances of the here and now. She possessed an ability to understand what could be, and helped those around her cultivate their dreams.
As the publisher of the Green Tree Times, Peg was justifiably proud of her good news community newspaper that she built from the ground up. She was a kind and giving person who could see the goodness in saints and fools alike. Throughout her life, Peg brought happiness into the lives of others. Her laughter could light up a room, and she was generous with the gifts of gratitude and joy.
Indeed, she will be sorely missed by those who had the privilege to know her.
- Sarah Zablotsky McCluan,
Former Assistant Editor, Green Tree Times, and a friend
In life there are some that touch us in ways that are life defining. Peg was one of those. She was always quick with a smile and words of wisdom, advice only when asked, and always in my best interest. Many years ago, I leaned on Peg for advice on a life changing career move. Her advice was just, sound, and in my best interest. She was a strong catalyst in my professional growth. The change made us drift apart, but her mentoring and wisdom will live with me forever. Thanks Peg… May you rest in peace.
- John Eckert
(Multimedia Account Representative)
To anyone who enjoyed reading the Green Tree Times, stop now and say a prayer for Peg Stewart. without her dedication, hard work and self sacrifice for the past twenty-five years there would be no paper.
She is one of the finest women I ever met and worked with.
Bill Knoll
Green Tree Times contributor
Such a dynamic lady - lived a creative life, and knew how to bring out the best in people.
Karen from Answer Computer
Here are two little thoughts from me. One is about when Peg recruited me to write Musings 20 years ago. I was trying to figure out what she wanted....and she said..."Well, just your musings on anything that goes in the direction of well-being." That was it. So easy for me. And she'd named the column.
The other thing is how she and I laughed. And laughed. Every time we got together - usually at a Panera or the like - we would end up laughing so much people around us would stare. Sometimes we were laughing together about things that weren't even funny, like the human condition. But somehow being together, having lived very long, rich, complex lives, laughing just happened. And lifted us up. The last time I talked with her - about a week before she died - she warned me that she couldn't laugh because it brought on coughing. I promised not to say anything funny. But before we said goodbye, we were laughing about something - I don't even remember what. And she coughed. And I said "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to laugh," and she said, "No. Thank you. I needed that."
Sharon Eakes, Musings
Margaret (Peg) Stewart
12/28/39 - 4/26/20
I am still in disbelief about Peg’s passing and I don’t know where to start. Peg was first an employer, then a mentor and quickly a friend! I met Peg in 2010 when I approached her regarding featuring a little story about the 3rd graders from St. Margaret School that had their own class newspaper. Being the avid newspaper lover, as well as a woman who wants to see kids do anything creative with reading and writing, she immediately wanted to meet with me to talk about it. She absolutely wanted to do a big story about them. The next thing she did shocked me. She asked me to write it. She gave me some basic rules and said, “Just run with it and let’s see what happens!” The rest is history.
I have worked with Peg since that time as a writer, proof reader, and assistant editor. She was always training, teaching and offering feedback. I was eventually able to move the kid’s newspaper into the center of the Green Tree Times. That gave the kids all over the area a great opportunity to write, and contribute to something much larger. I then became her front cover writer. She also invited my husband, Sam Hall, to write The Fishin’ Hole, which has been a great opportunity for him and the readers love it!
All along the way, she was constantly offering praise and confidence in everything that I did, from selling ads, writing, or whatever crazy idea I presented to her. She knew how to encourage and get the best out of people even through their mistakes. She had so much wisdom that I soaked in every time we spoke. I have learned so much professionally from Peg and even more personally. I learned it's important to know when to say no. I learned when to give more. I learned about putting gratitude first and using a journal which she gave me.
She was a strong woman ahead of her time! When Peg decided she was ready to retire last June she asked me to take over the paper. I did with reservations but once again, she assured me that I could do it and just threw me in and said - SWIM! So I did.
This last year has been anything but what Peg had hoped for but she always remained positive and no matter what her battle, she pressed on and few people knew how hard things actually were for her. I know she so badly wanted to relax and sit on her front porch, read a little and just be mindful. I know she got a few days on the porch this spring so I’m grateful for that!
She will be greatly missed by me, my family and so many others!
Shelly Davis
Editor/Publisher, Green Tree Times
The Paul Family met Peg nearly 20 years ago. She started as a boss, but quickly grew to be a mentor and a friend. The newspaper industry has undoubtedly changed since 1994 when the first Green Tree Times was printed. Year after year, she was able to adapt and stay true to her motto, ‘Everyone looks good in the Green Tree Times.’ She strived to highlight the positivity in our local community. She loved to showcase the hard workers, business owners, churches, fundraisers, and local events.
Peg was a strong and pioneering female business owner, and a consistent mentor to our family. She had a strong work ethic, and would work as many hours as needed to meet her deadline. She ran her business with intelligence, humility, and grace. Those who knew her, and knew all that went into producing the monthly publication, knew that it was a labor of love.As a friend, she was always available to lend an ear, and provide prospective and advice. Simply put, her friendship is one that will be missed but cherished forever.
I am writing to share some of my thoughts about the wonderful Peg Stewart -- a lady whom I came to know less than four years ago and whom I met in person on only one occasion, at the funeral of Anne Bahl, a mutual friend who over the years had written the "wildflower" column for the Green Tree Times.
At the suggestion of Anne's daughter, Celeste Nasuti (who knew I was a "cruciverbalist"), Peg came over to talk with me at the luncheon after the funeral, and in a matter of minutes we had reached a hand-shake deal: I would do an original crossword feature for the paper -- one puzzle to be published every other month. (If it worked out, that would be six puzzles a year.)
It worked out splendidly. We began a very friendly and co-operative relationship -- one that was in no way hampered by the fact that every communication was either by telephone, e-mail, or snail mail. She seemed to like what I produced, and I enjoyed working for her. In all she published seventeen of my puzzles, continuing right up until her retirement last year (2019). It was really fun for me to be involved with this, and she seemed to genuinely appreciate my efforts. Most important of all -- from my perspective -- she trusted my judgment, did very little editing . . . and never rejected anything! (A cruciverbalist seldom gets such a good run!)
I grew to have a lot of respect for Peg, my new friend, and when she retired I missed her.
God bless Peg Stewart. I truly wish I had made her acquaintance sooner and had been able to know her longer. At least I had the joy of working with her the few years that I did. It was great.
Gil Ludwig
Pittsburgh South/West
GREEN TREE TIMES
Kids games and kids puzzles
Peggy was a woman who never met a stranger. I was one of the luckiest people in the world when I met Peggy. She was wise, caring, selfless, so much fun, and truly a big sister to me. Peggy will never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of meeting her.
Sue Gove
A sharp businesswoman and journalist, Peg was always so positive with a “can do” attitude. She was very dedicated to giving back to the community and to publishing the news. Her kindness will be missed by all who knew her personally and professionally.
Dena Rose
Green Tree Times Writer, Ad Sales
Margaret (Peggy) Stewart Butcher, age 80 of Mount Washington, PA, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020. Peggy is preceded in death by her parents: Esther (Stubkjaer) Stewart and William Stewart.
She is survived by her two sons; Mark Butcher of the West End, PA and Michael Butcher of Pittsburgh, PA; as well as her daughter-in-law, Marie Morgan and her two granddaughters, Maggie Butcher and Katie Butcher of Green Tree, PA, whom she considered her two angels.
Peggy was born on December 28, 1939 in Madison, Wisconsin. She was a 1958 graduate of Crafton High School, Crafton, PA and a 1962 graduate of Allegheny College with degrees in both Psychology and English.
Peggy had a love for writing that was exemplified in many different facets during her outstanding career. She retired after more than 25 years as the Publisher/Managing Editor of The Green Tree Times, where she consistently focused on positive and uplifting news to pass on to her readers.
Peggy was greatly involved in numerous activities and various organizations, such as Animal Advocates, to enhance and better her community. She fervently strived to find the good in others and had a lasting, positive affect on everyone she met. Peggy was routinely willing to give helpful advice and was a great listener. She was an avid reader with eclectic tastes and enjoyed spending time with a good book and her two loving cats.
Peggy will be greatly missed by her family and countless friends, including those she cherished, loved, and considered family for 50 years from the Chatham Village community. Her compassionate spirit will be dearly missed.
Due to circumstances surrounding the current pandemic, a celebration of Peggy’s life with family and friends will be held at a later time yet to be determined by the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to www.allanshope.org and/or www.animaladvocates.net.
Online condolences can be sent through www.bruscofalvo.com and https://obituaries.post-gazette.com.
Peggy Stewart, (Peg) was a mentor to me in many ways. When we met, I was just a young graphic artist struggling to keep my growing family cared for, dance lessons and diapers are not cheap. We worked together on ad design, she showed me how each customer wanted the ad and I recreated them one by one. Peg showed me how she did what she did to make the Green Tree Times work. Each month was work on top of work, multiple facets of the product all required hours of time and for the most part, Peg did it herself.
Over the years I grew and learned more and more about printing, coming up with several ideas for publications myself but all the years of learning from Peg, I knew there just wasn’t enough of one aspect or another for them to work. You needed to know your audience and who is going to pay for advertising, printing and so on. We continued to work together for many years, with many late night calls as we got more and more sophisticated with the printing.
Somewhere in there we also became friends, maybe even great friends. She met my family and I hers, we sadly didn’t have enough days together like the one at the park near her house where my daughter got stuck in the swings meant for a baby. Hilarious - and Peg thought so too, which just added more insight to that layer of charm, unflappability, kindness she just exuded. We understood each other more than most, we knew that a bad day would never last, on either end of the phone. We were there for each other and had a bond that many would envy. I loved Peg Stewart, not as a mom figure, relative or a co-worker, but as my friend. I will truly miss her.
- Shawn Yauger