Margaret "Peggy" L.S. Breese

Winston Salem - Margaret "Peggy" Louise Stiles Breese went to join the Lord's choirs (or more likely direct the Cherub choirs) on September 24, 2024 at age 92. A long-time resident of Niskayuna, NY and later The Landings in Savannah, GA she passed in Winston Salem, NC where she and her husband of 70 years, Claude "Cap" Rader Breese, had moved to be closer to their middle son.

The daughter of Anna Lippincott Evans Stiles (1904-1981) and Henry Robert Stiles, Sr. (1904-1968), Peggy was born in 1932 and raised in Haddonfield, NJ. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she met Cap, and later earned her MS in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Albany. An avid fan of the Orff Schulwerk creative music education process, she became a Master Teacher and a member of the National Board of Trustees of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.

Peggy's life was devoted to music, and particularly children's music education. Among other schools, she served as the elementary music teacher for Hillside Elementary School in Niskayuna, NY for several decades where she inspired her students to maintain a lifelong commitment to music. Peggy also directed the adult choir at Niskayuna Reformed Church for many years.

In 1993 Peggy moved with Cap to the Landings in Savannah, GA, ostensibly to retire for the third time. Instead Peggy continued her passion for music, directing the adult and children's choirs at Skidaway Island Methodist Church. In her spare time she sang (and soloed) with I Cantori, Savannah's premier chamber choir, and the Savannah Choral Society Chorus. In addition to her music, Peggy was an avid golfer, winning several championships at the Mohawk and Landings Golf Clubs. She enjoyed golf, tennis, and sailing on Lake George well into her 80's.

Peggy was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Robert Stiles, Jr. She is survived by her husband Cap; her three children, David ("Amy") of Palatine, IL, Stephen of Boone, NC, and Mark of Arvada, CO; and 5 grandchildren.

Peggy is interred at Skidaway Island Methodist Church in Savannah, GA. In recognition of her life-long love of music and children we encourage you to support your local music education programs.