Peggy Lazarus Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Apr. 21 to May 5, 2017.

Peggy Gross Lazarus, age 91, died unexpectedly but peacefully of natural causes on March 24, 2017, in Irvine, CA where she was living with her daughter, Kathy Lazarus. Peggy is survived by her beloved family, including children David Lazarus of New York City, NY, Kathy Lazarus of Irvine, CA, Virginia Lazarus of Evanston, IL, Elizabeth Lazarus of Boulder, CO; her daughter-in-law Martha DeYoung Lazarus; her 8 grandchildren Ginger, Brian, Sarah, Sam, Leilani, Jay, Maya and Nathan; her 8 great-grandchildren Molly, Bridget, Rumi, Lila, Logan, Kaela, Arjuna and Kailani; her twin sister, Lynn Straus, and older sister, Joan Scheuer; her nieces and nephews Dan, Steve and Leslie Pearlman, Phil, Don, and Katherine Straus, Marian, Dan and Jonathan Scheuer and all their precious and beloved extended families. She is preceded in death by her husband Roger Lazarus and son John Lazarus.
Over a span of 91 years -- from New York City, NY to Scarsdale, NY to Cambridge, MA to Los Alamos, NM (with work years in Los Alamos and Nambé, NM, Piñon, AZ and Denton, TX) and finally to Irvine, CA -- Peggy pursued a range of interests: Born one of twins on December 25, 1925 to Philip Goldstein Gross and Beatrice Rittenberg Gross in New York City, Peggy grew up in Scarsdale and later attended college at Radcliffe, where she earned a degree in social anthropology in 1947. After marrying Roger Lazarus in 1946, she moved with him to Los Alamos in 1951, where she raised five wonderful children. In Los Alamos she was very active with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Throughout her life she had an avid interest in geology and collected rocks and fossils from the fascinating formations in New Mexico. As the children grew up, Peggy returned to school, earning an M.S. in Education from Bank Street College in 1973, then becoming a teacher and mentor in the then new Head Start program in northern New Mexico, and later, working with Navajo children in Piñon, AZ. In 1981, she earned a Ph.D in early childhood education/linguistics at the University of New Mexico, where she focused on the way children learn to read. She then spent 12 academic years in Denton, where she was an associate professor at Texas Women's University, and where she mentored several successful doctoral candidates, with whom she maintained warm friendships for the rest of her life. In 1996 she retired and returned to Los Alamos where she lived with Roger, her husband of 60 years, until his death in 2007. Finally, in 2010, she moved to Irvine to live out her last years with her devoted daughter Kathy. She avidly followed current events on the television and in the newspapers (which she read cover to cover) and loved to relax doing puzzles. She was a woman of many interests and pursuits, who cherished knowing about the lives and activities of her extended family and of lifelong friends from all corners of the globe.
Peggy was a consistently gentle, kind and caring woman who profoundly loved her family and was a steady and endearing support to all of us who loved her so dearly. She was always interested and always curious.
In lieu of flowers, she would undoubtedly get a big kick out of the idea that people take extra time to sit down with a small child to read a book or play with blocks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Peggy Lazarus

What is your first memory of Peggy?

Share a favorite memory you have of Peggy.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Peggy.

Describe a time when Peggy made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Peggy?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Peggy.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Peggy.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Peggy.

What is something you learned from Peggy?

Not sure what to say?

4 Entries

April 30, 2017

Anne Buckland-Murphy

All,
It was a pleasure having your mother and father in my life. They were the best neighbors one could have for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss her.
I thought you might like this photo of your parents taken in 1997 during a visit to my home in the D.C. area after I moved away from Los Alamos.

Posted by Anne Buckland-Murphy

April 20, 2017

Anne

To the family of Mrs. Lazarus, my deepest condolences. She sounded like a wonderful person who lived a wonderful life. In this difficult time, I pray you find peace in the god of all comfort.

April 18, 2017

To the family of Peggy Lazarus,
May you find comfort from the precious words of Jesus at Matthew 5:4 during your difficult time.
Sincerely,
M.R.

April 18, 2017

Tamiko Woods

May the God of Comfort bring you peace during this difficult time

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Peggy Lazarus's name

Memorial Events
for Peggy Lazarus

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Peggy's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Peggy Lazarus's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more