Margaret Ann Chase Dreyfous
January 8, 1925 - September 8, 2021
Salt Lake City, Utah—Margaret Ann Chase Dreyfous left us on September 8th surrounded by 96 years of memories spanning four generations of family. She was enveloped by the love she nurtured, cultivated and radiates and was able to say goodbye to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will miss her dearly. Margaret and her sister Mary Chase were born and raised in Utah by two loving parents, Dr Phillips Chase and Elizabeth Young Chase. She was married to Jules S Dreyfous on December 30 ,1953.
Affectionately known as Peg, Grandpeg, Geeps and ultimately “GP” by generations of relatives, neighbors and friends. She was full of good humor, sage advice and a longing to be remembered as a friend and someone who always cared for others more than herself.
She was a matriarch of the highest order. An amazing mother, astonishing grandmother and magical great-grandmother. She always greeted each of us with a” well well well” or “hello hello” and a warm embrace. She always bid you farewell with a “love love”
We will remember her in flowers; particularly roses and peonies. In birds; most notably by hummingbirds and Lazuli buntings. And in rituals and holidays most especially at Christmas, Birthdays, and Thanksgiving. Peg embodied the promise of spring and the twinkling of tinsel. Her Christmas tree was carefully curated by color and the stories behind each meticulously hung ornament, she set a memorable table, and made the best Eggs Benedict and variations of birthday MaryAnne cakes that always were polished off with a resounding round of her signature family ” It Is Somebody's Birthday” Song.
Peg left behind her best friend and beloved daughter, Susan Farbman and son, roommate and confidant James Dreyfous and her devoted dapper French bulldog Oliver. Her son John Dreyfous, who disappeared in the mid 1980s, was with her in spirit every step of the way, every day.
Her great joys were six grandchildren Allison Kulmer , Alec Farbman, Chase Dreyfous, Brooke Dreyfous Peel, McKarah Dreyfous and John “Jake” Dreyfous. They will miss their conversations about her love of life, commitment to knowledge and special care for nature and wild things. She was always interested in learning and discussing politics.
She adored and was often astonished by her four great grandchildren Isabella Kulmer, Ava Kulmer, her namesake Margaret “Maggie “Chase Peel and her youngest William Peel, but also often lamented the world they have inherited.
Peg was a lover of the Utah Symphony, Ballet and Opera, a ferocious defender of the First Amendment and our constitution, Greenpeace, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Common Cause and reproductive freedoms. An avid reader she frequently recommended books and articles from Harpers and The New Yorker. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1946 with a degree in history having pursued a chemistry major but was advised by her Dean that she, as a woman, would only be washing Petri dishes and test tubes. She was president of her sorority, Pi Phi.
She loved our country and the Great State of Utah. Moonlit mountains, desert spring, fresh snowfall and Albion Basin wildflowers always delighted her.
She never took the blessings of her home and gardens for granted and shared them with book clubs, study clubs, the Town Club, The Cottonwood Garden Club and friends.
As her health declined, Celeste di Figueiredo became her caregiver and soon became a member of our family and always will be. We also wish to thank Huntsman at Home especially Danielle and Preston.
Our family welcomes your stories and pictures and wishes to remember her well.
We will miss her “more than tongues can tell.”
A service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church at 10 am on Thursday Sept 16th.
In Loving Memory
Peggy Dreyfous, the last of the incredible women of Brentwood and Oakhill Drive. I know that technically the address is 2300 E., but I claim rights because the tall pine trees served as a backdrop to our home, the Warburton's, on Brentwood Drive. I regret that, growing up, I never really knew any of you. Susan, I now know you via Kulmer's, Urry's, and Gretchen. Following are a few memories that I have growing up in our neighborhood that included your family. I remember fondly, growing up in what was the country. We had modest homes by today's standards, big yards, and horses. Most of the homes are gone now. I'm glad that your property remains relatively the same, beautiful and undeveloped. My older siblings talk of riding our horses up to Mt. Olympus or south to Draper. There were no walls or fences, other than those to contain the cows and horses. Besides the cows and horses, I remember the pheasants, squirrels, hawks, and peacocks that lived mostly on your property, because it was the most expansive and untamed. We children of our neighborhood were allowed to roam and play in the fields and woods unattended. I sometimes would sneak through your pasture to get to a friends house on Shangri Lane. I doubt that it is any shorter than walking down Fardown Avenue, but it was a daring adventure. My friends and I had to make sure that we didn't damage the barbed-wire fences or our parents would get a call from your Dad. Mr. & Mrs. Dreyfous always shared with the neighbors. I think I remember eggs, fruits and vegetables coming our way. When our horse was moved to the Cottonwood Club stables, with no place to ride other than around the ring, they allowed my sister, Anne, to ride one of your horses. Anne was in third grade when she was hit by a truck while crossing 6200 S. on your horse. She was thrown into the bushes and suffered a concussion, but your horse was fine and grazing in your pasture that night. Perhaps it could have ended Anne's being able to ride the horse again, but your parents were forgiving and let her continue riding. As the older sister, I thought that your parents, especially your Mom, were a little too nice! After snowstorms, Mr. Roney, the caretaker, would drag his plow behind his truck through all of the neighborhood driveways. My parents were always grateful because we got a lot more snow back then. I remember "The Paris" summer party with all of the cars parked in the pasture. As a little girl, I hoped to work at "The Paris", just so that I could attend the summer party. A few years ago, Susan Kirby and I were returning from a hike and we encountered your mom at her mailbox. I was sure that she wouldn't remember me, but I had to say hello. She didn't miss a beat and acted as though, of course, she remembered me. She was a beautiful, grand woman. I'm sure that you will miss her greatly. robyn warburton seldin
In Loving Memory
