Margaret Wilson Callard

Margaret Wilson Callard, “Peg”, 85 of Lincolnwood, passed away at her home at Lincolnwood Place Senior Living Community on Saturday, November 20, 2021. She was born September 19, 1936, in Flossmoor Illinois, the daughter of Bernard Frank Wilson and Margaret Wilson, nee Reid. Loving mother of Margaret (Meg) Ramis Prendergast (James) of Chicago and Claire Ramis Prats (d. 2007) and husband Charles Gordon Callard (d. 2004). She is survived by her sisters Judith Wilson Davidson (Donald) of Bend OR, niece Linda Brown, nephew Peter Brown (Illonka) and Sandra Wilson Eschen (Gary) of Whidbey Island, WA, nieces Sara Eschen, Kate Pothier (Jared), nephew Alex Eschen (Jessica) and their families.

Always filled with good humor (often with a joyfully evil bent), in the current lexicon of the day, Peg was an influencer; stylishly leading, listening, mentoring, mothering (and not just to her children), and providing an environment of welcoming enjoyment for all who knew her.

Graduating from Bloom Township High School, in Homewood Flossmoor IL, Peg studied English Literature at Knox College, Galesburg IL, where she became a Pi Beta Phi sister, and met Charles Nelson Ramis, later to wed (1957) with whom she had daughters Meg & Claire. They settled in Riverside IL, where she developed a wide circle of friends, who are friends to this day. Peg & Charlie divorced in 1973.

In 1976 she married her life partner, Charles (Chuck) Callard; a marriage founded in deep love and sustained by their mutual passions forg work, family, tennis, skiing, music, fine living, and vacationing anywhere sunny, beachy, or on a sailboat.

Her career took from starting a custom couture business in Riverside with her friend Patricia Bostick, to the “road rep” for Elenhank Textile Design, then Jack Denst Design at the Merchandise Mart, and finally to the owner of a showroom, Callard & Associates. Designers, manufacturers, employees and the team at Vornado all loved her for the 30 years she ruled the 16th floor, and beyond her time at Mart.

Her love of people, the arts and design permeated her life; she was extraordinarily civic minded by being involved with many endeavors including, The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago (chapter past president 1971-72), The Riverside Garden Club, Art Resources in Teaching, (Gala Chair several years), Design Integrity, Design Industry Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA- an original Gala co-chair), The North Dearborn Parkway Association (President 2016-17) and their Garden Walk Chair several years running, among others. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Alumni association, The Tavern Club of Chicago, The Merchandise & Manufacturers Club at The Mart, the Riverside Presbyterian Church, Fortnightly Club of Chicago and was a supporter of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. She was a nearly sixty years long supporter of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and enjoyed many of their series and programs over the years.

She was known for her inimitable grace and welcoming nature, hosting countless gatherings at her various homes and showrooms over the years, having great passion for entertaining and cooking the latest culinary trends of the day. We will miss her adventurousness in the kitchen, save for a turducken incident in the early aughts. Her at-a moments-notice Night Blooming Serius parties were considered a coveted invite and she held a particular delight getting a spur of the moment bash into place. We are to be thankful that she also spent considerable time curating our collective recipes into the Reid Legacy, cataloging our friends and families’ greatest hits for us all to enjoy and share.

Her presence amongst us will be sorely missed. Our families are blessed to have had her in our lives and thank all of you for being her friend and loved one.

Memorial:

A memorial for Peg will be held on May 9, 2022 for family and friends at The Fortnightly Club of Chicago. Please indicate your interest in attending in the comment page with your contact information.

Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, kindly make your donations to:

Chicago Lights:

126 East Chestnut Street Chicago, Illinois 60611

 https://chicagolights.org/support-us/#donate

Chicago Lights is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides mentoring, community services, academic support, career development & arts education to Chicago’s youth and adults.

Knox College:

2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401-4999

https://securelb.imodules.com/s/289/nonav-interior.aspx?sid=289&gid=1&pgid=1592&cid=2644

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