Margaret Monica ""Peggy"" Stevens

Margaret ""Peggy"" (Cortilet) Stevens Peggy (Cortilet) Stevens, age 88 of Golden Colorado, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2016. Peggy is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Joe Stevens. She is survived by sons Brian (Joy) Stevens and Kevin (Amy) Stevens, daughter MaryNoel (Borys) Czernyk, grandchildren Stefani (Matt) Lucas, Staci Stevens, Mark Czernyk, Scott Stevens, Jaclyn Stevens, Kathryn Stevens and Lauryn Stevens, brother Frank Cortilet and sister MaryHelen Cahill. Peggy was born on September 11, 1927. Born and raised in Chicago, Peggy was the second oldest of eight children. She fondly recalled growing up in a busy household and working as a soda ""jerk"" at her father's Cortilet Drug's soda fountain as a teenager where in that time everyone who was anyone hung out drinking cherry cokes, malteds and listening to the latest hits on the Juke Box. At the end of WWII Peggy's Dad bought one of the first convertibles on the road which Peggy loved to drive around Chicago. It must have been then where she developed her need for speed which continued throughout her driving career, thrilling her grandchildren driving through the winding mountain roads of Colorado. This is most likely the influence that has swayed Brian and Kevin to drive sports cars! Peggy attended Chicago Teachers College where she earned a degree in Physical Education (PE). Throughout her life she cherished the friendships she made in CTC and remained loyal to her PE's (as she referred to the group), socializing, picnicking and taking trips together, always enjoying each other's company. Peggy was very athletic (genes passed on to Mary Noel) and enjoyed many sports. She excelled on the college softball team as an outstanding pitcher and during WWII was recruited to play woman's baseball as portrayed in the movie ""A League of Their Own"". It was in the PE school where Peggy met the love of her life, Joe Stevens. (Was it Peggy or that Convertible she was driving that first caught Joe's eye?) Joe and Peggy were married December 1, 1951, raised three children, and remained inseparable soul mates for over 65 years. Peggy devoted her life to her husband and kids and grandkids. She was the quintessential Homemaker trading her teaching degree for a career in Domestic Engineering in which she excelled. To this day there remains the unsettled question of which was best...her apple or banana pie? Peggy was always up for ""a visit"" welcoming friends and family into her home, caring for them as if they were royalty and never EVER letting them help in her kitchen! Starting at 1119 E 54th Street, to 10105 S Fairfield, to P64 Jackson Blvd. in Greeley and faculty housing at Denver University, to 685 S Harrison Peg had notrouble turning a house into a home. Both Joe and Peg loved the Colorado Mountains. In 1977 they built their ""dream home"" on the top of Lininger Mountain. The house was lovingly designed by Peg to be self-sufficient with solar energy, a water well and spectacular 360 degree views of the rocky mountains with the city of Denver twinkling to the east below. They happily lived together ""on top of the world"" for over 35 years. Peggy was tremendously devoted to her late husband, Joe, and her family. She supported Joe in the completion of his advanced degrees and with his job moves. She encouraged and assisted her children with their various interests as they were growing up, taking them to guitar, piano, gymnastics, figure skating, taekwondo, saxophone and various lessons as well as being involved as a den mother and countless other endeavors. Peggy led an active life, hiking, skiing, playing tennis and traveling. She could often be found riding her stationary bike while reading the newest novel. She was a comforting, caring, kind wife, mother and grandmother. Peggy had a great sense of humor and had an uncanny talent to cleverly twist words. Her favorite saying was ""Patience is a virtue, be virtuous"". In the last weeks of her life all Peg wanted was to be back with her Joey. And although she will be missed, it is comforting to know they are together...Soul-Mates for eternity. In honor of Joe and Peg's wishes to have their ashes spread together in the mountains, there will be an immediate private family service for Peg, with a memorial for both this coming spring 2017.