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 Peg Melville Barber passed away on September 11, 2011, the day before her 60th birthday, in Cleveland, Ohio. She died of lung cancer at her home. She is survived by her husband John and daughter Julia as well as her mother Eleanor Melville and brothers John and Martin Melville.
At WJ, she was a talented member of Thespians and was involved in school productions, including Brigadoon, Half-a-Sixpence, and The Man Who Came to Dinner. She participated in the Senior Class Variety Show, Student Council, and was a member of National Honor Society. A talented gardener, artist, and poet, Peg brought light into the lives of her family and friends.
Contributions in Peg's memory may be made to the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden Fund at 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
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Mary Saloschin (Hubbard)
Peg was a dear friend of mine at WJ. We became especially close while working on the one-act version of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" our senior year. Peg played Gwendolyn and I was her mother, Lady Bracknell. I remember countless hours of rehearsal (often in my parent's rec room after school) - and countless bouts of raucous laughter. Joe Esquibel and Mike Levin were the other main characters - and Rich Slawsky helped us out in a minor role. Our play was chosen to represent WJ in the Maryland One-Act Competition - we worked even harder with Mrs. Voss (drama teacher) directing us - and came out a winner. Experiences such as this really bind people together, and Peg and I were no exception.
I also remember Peg enthusing about her summer as an AFS student in India. She had a gorgeous royal blue sari that she sometimes wore to school (I thought that took guts!). She had a fantastic sense of humor - and marched to her own drummer.
Although we lost touch during college, I was delighted to see Peg at our 20th reunion. When our 40th approached, I tried to find her on Facebook. She wasn't on it, but I DID connect with her brother, John, who put us back in touch. Peg and I emailed quite a bit, and I encouraged her to come to the 40th reunion.
At the reunion (October 2009) we had an opportunity to visit one-on-one for an afternoon. It was terrific to be back in touch. Her brother John sent me a message on FB to tell me about her untimely death, one day before her 60th birthday in September. Say what you will about Facebook, but without it, I would never have reconnected with this very special friend.
Peg, I will always remember you! And you will always be Gwendolyn to me.
Roberta (Bobby Jo) Flather (Chromey)
Peg was also one of a small cirlce of really good friends I had at WJ. She was part of my inner circle of girl friends and I also was excited about her AFS experience in India. I remember her visitting at my home and telling me stories about her experience, like having to sneak out for a hamburger after weeks of vegetarian indian meals. (can't remember where she found the hamburger!)
Rest in Peace, Peg, you will always be part of my high school memories.