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Meg Zweiback Obituary
September 29, 1948 - September 9, 2017
Meg Zweiback was born in 1948 in Los Angeles and was raised in the Pacific Palisades. She passed on Saturday night peacefully in her sleep after a valiant yearlong battle with Leukemia. She bonded with four wonderful women at the Westlake School for Girls who have sustained her and each other throughout their lives. As a 16 year old freshman at UC Santa Cruz she saw another freshman and decided he would be the man she would marry. She wisely waited some time to tell him. Meg and Zack Wasserman were a couple for over 51 years and celebrated their 47th anniversary on June 14 this year. They adored each other. They have two wonderful sons, Jake and Michael, and now an amazing daughter-in-law, Alicia Dantzker. Part of Meg's joy this past year was seeing Michael and Alicia's June wedding in Mendocino.Meg was one of the first Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, with degrees from UCSF and a Master's in Public Health from UC Berkeley. She developed a private practice helping families with young children solve problems with poop, sleep, sibling, schools, and everyday life. Meg was a featured columnist for Parents' Press, a speaker and contributor to BANANAS, and author of four books about parenting published in 8 languages. Meg was also an Associate Clinical Professor of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. She learned hypnosis techniques and used them in her practice to help children use their own talents to deal with pain and anxiety. Her advice helped many families deal with their problems to help their children be happier and become healthier adults. There are countless children in the Bay Area and beyond who have benefited from Meg's counsel, her wit and her wisdom. Much of her advice can still be found at: BringingUpKids.com.
Meg had a great passion for art, theater and ballet. For almost 30 years she was a docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She and Zack loved to travel together and often alternated trips to Italy with snorkeling in faraway seas. She believed in and taught "Meg Math" – how to use savings, refunds, credits to apply to other desired objects – a way to be ever optimistic. She will be missed by her family, her friends and the many people she has helped. Her wisdom and her memory will sustain them.
A Chapel Service will be held at Home of Eternity Cemetery (Mountain View Cemetery) at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, September 12th. We will have a Celebration of her life later this Fall. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Meg Foundation or to BANANAS Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. The Meg Foundation teaches medical professionals and parents how to empower children and families to prevent and relieve pain, and during the last year of her life Meg was a major advisor to its founders, Dr. Jody Thomas and Dr. Leonora Kuttner. Meg was a longtime volunteer parent educator, featured speaker and supporter of BANANAS. Donations may be mailed to The Meg Foundation, 10169 E.28th Ave., Denver, CO 80238 or at www.gofundme.com/meg-foundation and to BANANAS at donate.bananasbunch.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Meg Zweiback
Jan Chess
December 3, 2019
Meg was so supportive of me as a single parent. She was present with my then 4 year old and saw me through the adoption of my second child over two decades ago. She was a kind and powerful person.
Wendy Glassman
January 10, 2018
We have fond memories of spending time with Meg, Zack, Jake and Misha every summer at Stanford Sierra Camp at Fallen Leaf Lake. Our kids grew up together at camp and we always enjoyed catching up every year. We are deeply sorry for your loss, may Meg's memory be a blessing. Fondly, the Glassman Family
Marianne Gunther-Murphy
January 6, 2018
Meg facilitated my mother's group when my first daughter "Katie" was born in 1980. I appreciated her common sense, her ability to nurture us (even in our new-parent-sleep-deprived states), her skill in helping us bond as a group, and the wise eye to help each of us see and accept our kids as unique. Some of us continued on as a peer group, becoming a babysitting co op, and eventually a parent support group. 37 years later we (the mom's at least) meet regularly for wine and cards.
I am so struck that even years later, when I'd run into her around Oakland (every few years) she'd remembered my daughter's name, once I reminded her of mine. I am so sad to hear of her passing. She has left the world a much better place and added greatly to my life as a parent.
J Dx
January 5, 2018
Meg was a wonderful person and helped me a tremendous amount through the inevitable rough patches of parenting. I will always remember her. It is a gigantic loss for her family and all the community who knew her.
Carole King
November 28, 2017
I will always remember Meg's independence of thought and acceptance of others' points of view. She maintained that raising children was like raising a puppy and made many very funny comparisons. She had a huge heart, an innovative mind, and an original, even subversive, sense of humor. There is no one like her.
October 2, 2017
I am very sorry to hear of Meg's passing. Our daughter is 41 now, but we were in a support group with Sherry Reinhardt, and Meg helped many of us with sorting out parenting very young children.
Later, I taught at Step One School where Meg was a consultant.
May her memory be for a blessing.
Lindy Tuttle
Dan Rossi
September 20, 2017
My condolences to Zack and his family. Meg helped us many years ago with our son when he was very young. She identified his issues right off the bat and gave us great advice on how to follow up. With the right support, he has grown up to be a thriving young man. My wife and I will always be grateful for Meg's insights.
September 19, 2017
Zack,
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I know what it is like to lose a spouse. My thoughts are with you. Please take care of yourself.
Sincerely,
Mamie Lai
[former Director, Administrative Services, BCDC]
Penny Stroud
September 15, 2017
So many fond memories of all of you from Stanford Camp. Rick joins me in sending love at this very sad news.
Heather Halprin
September 13, 2017
Meg was pivotal for my husband and I as parents. She helped us with our now 18 year old in the areas of sleep and anxiety. I can't even imagine what my life as a mom would have been without Meg. We are so sorry to hear of her passing and send our warm thoughts to her family. She was a true genius when it came to children and families.
Rebecca Stanwyck
September 13, 2017
Meg was an angel - I will never forget how helpful she was when my son was hospitalized as a baby - she came to the ICU right away, made sure that we got the supplies and attention from the nursing staff that were needed. I remember how she just took charge, in a kind and gentle way, which was very reassuring to this frightened new mom.
Rebecca Brams
September 13, 2017
Meg helped us through a tough time with our son, now 10. I remember feeling hopeful and comforted meeting her in her beautiful, peaceful home office. She was skilled in figuring out the underlying causes of his behavior and in communicating with him and us. I've recommended her several times in her years since and just recently looked at her website for advice. She made a difference in our lives and many others. She will be missed.
Jim Klug
September 12, 2017
Tis a Fearful Thing
Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be
to be,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.
~ Judah Halevi, from the 12th Century
Diane Simoneau
September 12, 2017
I am saddened by the loss of Meg. She was a true healer.
September 12, 2017
Oh, no! I'm so sorry to hear this - Meg was always such a nice person and is a real loss...my deepest condolences to you.
Sue Yascolt
September 12, 2017
I lack the words to express my thanks for Meg and all the wonderful folks at Bananas who helped me raise my child back in the 70's... My deepest condolences to the family.
Hillary Murphy
September 11, 2017
Meg was a wonderful caregiver to the many children and parents who needed her (and a wonderful neighbor to boot). Her compassion, talents and warmth will not be forgotten.
Emmy Fearn
September 11, 2017
So very sorry, Zack and boys. Meg was an amazing lady. She was the nurse who came to see me after Dria was born, 36 years ago! We will miss seeing her in the neighborhood.
September 11, 2017
I remember Meg as an avid and discerning theater-goer, and enjoyed greatly our discussions about new plays.
Peggy Heineman
Lee Safran
September 11, 2017
My deep condolences to Meg's family - I am one of the many perinatal health practitioners who drew on Meg's knowledge and gratefully referred many women and families to her. She volunteered her time last year to speak to our perinatal professional group and was a joy to work with due to her enthusiasm, creativity and generosity. She will be deeply missed.
September 11, 2017
Meg was a wonderful woman and helper of children and moms. She contributed to helping me keep sane while she helped my son overcome his hurdles. May her memory be for a blessing
Tekoa King
September 10, 2017
Meg had a wonderful way of connecting women together to share. She was so smart, thoughtful and had a logical wisdom that I deeply appreciated. Zack, Jake, and Michael, We are so sorry. Meg will be sorely missed. You are in our hearts
Tekoa and Bill
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