SKILLEN PEGGY ANN (OWENS) Died at the Heritage House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 11, 2014. Peggy Ann graduated from high school in Monessen, PA, in 1948. She was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Henry Franklyn Owens of Monessen. She graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) in 1952, as a graphic arts major. She worked at the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper prior to moving to New York City, where she was the initial illustrator for Sesame Street of the Childrens' Television Network. Peggy Ann also illustrated the Gwendolyn Reed compilation of children bedtime poems called, Songs the Sandman Sings. The book is still available. Among her varied artistic jobs and contributions, she designed fabrics and worked with producers and designers of musical shows in New York City. She lived for many months in Ibiza, Spain, where she concentrated on oil painting. She also lived in Japan for two years with her husband, Robert Skillen. After Peggy received her master's degree from New York University, she spent many years as a reading specialist in the New York City School System. Her concern for the lack of positive activities for the children outside of the classroom led her to develop marching bands and other musical activities. She also established the Henry Franklyn Owens Day in the schools in which she taught, to encourage children to set high ideals and values, which her father had exemplified. Upon retirement from the school system, she received a Certificate of Exemplary Service in educating the children of the City of New York. She returned to Pittsburgh in the year 2000. She leaves behind a sister, Mary Owens Cooper of Philadelphia; a niece, Dr. Maura Cooper (Bruce Siegel) of Maryland; and a nephew, Owen Cooper of NYC; her cousins include, Suzanne Owens Kiszie (Philip), Robert G. Owens (Cindy), Second Lieutenant Brandon Owens, U.S.M.C., Jerome Robert Drew (Felicia), and Jerome Anthony Drew. Arrangements were made by the RAPP FUNERAL HOME, Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA. A Memorial Service will be held in the spring in Pittsburgh. Further announcements will be made at that time. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
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