Margaret Gilbert Menges

Margaret G. Menges

Margaret (Peggy) G. Menges, Longwood at Oakmont, departed this life peacefully on January 15, 2021.  She was born on February 23, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to William Elwood Gilbert and Emma Johnson Palmer Gilbert.  She grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, graduating from West Chester High School.  She earned her B.A. and M.A. in chemistry from Wellesley College.  On September 10, 1949, in West Chester, she married William (Bill) Charles Menges.  During the course of his career, she and Bill lived in Pittsburgh, West Chester, Kokomo, Indiana, and Cumberland, Maryland.  On March 22, 1976, when her first grandchild was born, she adopted the nickname, “Gramzie” which was used extensively by family and friends thereafter. She and Bill retired to Longwood at Oakmont, in Pittsburgh in 1995.  They traveled extensively, often with children and grandchildren in tow.  She and Bill visited all fifty states, and more than thirty countries on every continent except Antarctica.  She continued to travel internationally, both independently, and with family, after his death on April 26, 2007.  She was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and served as Clerk of Session for the First Presbyterian Church of Cumberland, and the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.  She was active in the Kokomo, Cumberland, and Pittsburgh chapters of P.E.O.. She served as treasurer of the Pittsburgh Reciprocity Group, and as President of the Maryland State Board. She enjoyed reading, gardening, snorkeling, and participating on a Master’s competitive swim team.  In the 1998 World Games, she won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.  In 2000, she won seven medals at the United States Long Course Championships.  She also enjoyed and was very accomplished in creating many beautiful pieces of needlepoint, embroidery, quilts, and knit items (including unique Christmas stockings). She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, William Elwood Gilbert, Jr.  Gramzie is survived by her children, Judge William C. Menges, Jr. (Martha), Kokomo, Indiana; Catherine A. Zagunis, Beaverton, Oregon; and James G. Menges (Sally), Binghamton, New York; ten grandchildren: Juliana M. Patty; Sarah (William) Imbierwicz; Andrea (Kristopher) Showen;  Molly (Kyle) Gilbert; Marten Zagunis; Mariel (Mike Swehla) Zagunis; Merrick ( Christine Reiter ) Zagunis; Lauren (Mark Panny) Menges; Meghan (Justin) Briggs; and Madeleine Menges; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements entrusted to English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA, 15139. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Contributions to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 (https://pittsburghsymphony.org/donate/form), or the charity of the donor’s choice.

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