BANICK, MARGARET K. ("Peggy") passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on July 10, 2016 after an extended illness. She was born June 30, 1934 in Tarentum, PA to Frank and Ida Esler. She attended Tarentum High School and then went on to study at Westminster College. It was there, in her first week as a freshman, that she caught the eye of the quarterback of the football team, Dick Banick. In May of 1953, the two were married and moved to Miami. One year later, their first of four children was born and, by 1958, she was a mother of 3 young children until their fourth came along in 1971.

In 1973, her best friend, Schatzi Kassal, asked her to join her as a founding "Babe" of Project New Born. It supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Holtz Children's Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Funds are raised for research, equipment, subsidizing salaries of key personnel, and supporting advocacy programs pertaining to the well being of premature and high risk infants worldwide. Following the recruitment of five additional founding "Babes," their friends, and countless other members and supporters, their remarkable volunteered efforts led to over $20 million in support for the NICU. Peggy could not have been more proud of her service with this incredible charity.

As she continued her volunteer work with Project: New Born and, after her youngest entered high school, Peggy partnered with another close friend, Renee Fink, to start a party supply business, Table Toppings, which rented high end table cloths and chair covers for local events. The business took off and Peggy was thrilled. After several years of success, Peggy and Renee decided to sell the business overjoyed with all they had accomplished. Peggy was also a proud long-time member of The Young Patronesses of the Opera which cultivates and promotes a love and understanding of opera through various community programs.

Humanitarian. Philanthropist. Benefactor. Entrepreneur. Friend. Peggy was all of these things but of most importance was her role as wife and mother. Words cannot describe the love shared between Peggy and her husband of nearly 63 years. Peggy and Dick's real, rare, and endless love affair was that of a fairy tale. They truly lived for each other. She was the glimmer in his eye, his shining star. He was Peggy's rock and biggest fan. Peggy was a true and rare gema real class act. Few could be gentler, kinder, more caring, honest, and compassionate, yet be so fantastically funny, witty, and sassy. Her smile and laughter were infectious, and she had a huge heart overflowing with love. Her strength was unparalleled and she constantly and consistently put others before herself. She touched the lives of so many, and will be so deeply missed, but no more than by her three daughters, Barbara Banick, Bindy Banick, and Stacey Banick, and her beloved honey dog, Jessie.

Unfortunately, she was predeceased by her husband Dick and their son, Richard Banick, Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations to be given to Project: New Born. Services to be held this Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 10:30am in the mausoleum chapel of Woodlawn Park North Cemetery, 3260 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33135.