Peggy Ernst, 81 years old, a 40-year resident of Manhasset, died Saturday morning, Feb. 19, 2005 at Glen Cove Hospital. The cause was heart failure. She was the wife of Dr. Herbert Ernst.

Peggy was an internationally acclaimed artist. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1944 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree. After working for several design studios in New York City, she became a successful free-lance textile designer, later to organize Peggy Joubert Designs Inc, and became president as well as creative artist. Simultaneous with her career she taught in the design department of Pratt Art Institute in New York. She was honored to be asked to be the first Woman Dean of Pratt Art Institute. She became an associate Member of the prestigious American Institute of Decorators.

Early watercolors painted in Bermuda and Jamaica launched her as a popular artist of tropical scenes. Her later prolific series of originals done in Hawaii in the 1950s kept her ahead of the 'tourist trade.' Her lovely watercolors and fabrics are in homes around the world.

She has exhibited extensively throughout the United States and was a very active member of the Manhasset Art Association. In past years she had been awarded First Prize at the Locust Valley Art Show, Operation Democracy, Honorable Mention at a number of MAA shows as well as Honorable Mention for her painting: "The Laborer" at the North Shore Unitarian Church Gallery.

She had been very generous with her donations of her paintings to charities, schools and fund-raising events. She had often donated to the D.A.R. philanthropic events to benefit the American Indians, to the Manhasset School Community Association for their fundraisers, to Buckley Country Day School, to St. Mary's Rosary Society as a raffle prize and in the past years to the local Red Cross Chapter fund-raiser, to The School of the Holy Child, Westbury, NY, and to The Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club philanthropic fund-raisers and benefit hospitals. She was invited to be an 'artist at work' during that event sponsored by The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, NY (September 1990).

A very dedicated mother and grandmother and friend to all, she reveled in the role of surrogate mother to many of her children's friends, local and otherwise, a number of them living with her while they began their careers in New York. She was a devoted and active member of the Strathmore Vanderbilt community where she enjoyed tennis and painted scenery for the annual water ballets and generally left her artistic legacy. She was a woman of strong faith and her faith, family, friends and art were most important to her. She loved her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two children, Jay Ernst of San Francisco and artist Barbara Ernst Prey of Oyster Bay and her cherished grandchildren Austin, Emily, Wyatt and William.

There will be a viewing at Fairchild Sons, 1570 Northern Blvd, Manhasset from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23 and a Funeral at The First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay, 60 East Main Street, 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005.

Roger Minionis passed away on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 after suffering a massive stroke on Feb. 6. He was a resident of Roslyn for 40 years and a teacher at Great Neck South High School. He also tutored many students throughout Long Island over the years. In his last week many family members, friends, colleagues, and students traveled to his bedside from as far as Venezuela, France, Australia, and Israel not to mourn, but to celebrate his life. They shared stories of how he made so many lives more meaningful through his insightful wisdom and heartfelt gestures.

Roger Minionis lived for his family. When he was done with a day of teaching, he came home to spend time with his family. Summers were spent vacationing together. He truly loved his wife, Carolyn, and was proud of her music and treasured their time together. His children, Ron, David, Sandra, and Laura, respected and adored him. He followed the motto to "Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night, there will be nothing left for him to steal." Roger dared to dream and was excited by a new challenge. Even while suffering the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease, not once did he complain. Everyone who came in contact with Roger was the better for having known him. He touched many lives with his humor, tenderness and compassion.

Roger Minionis was born in Cairo, Egypt on July 26, 1926 and he was instilled with a Greek heritage and a Jewish upbringing. He was the second youngest of five to his parents Victor and Celine and was a vibrant and bright child; a student of math and science. He was also very athletic and active in social groups. Roger was captain of a Middle Eastern national basketball team and even was asked to represent Egypt in the Olympics. He attended the American University of Cairo where he was given the title Mr. A.U.C., as the most respected student and athlete.

Roger left Egypt in 1956 and went to live in Paris, France. After 18 months teaching at the America University of Paris, he made his way to the United States, and to the University of North Carolina on a National Science Foundation fellowship to attain his master's in teaching. It was there that Roger and Carolyn met in a graduate physics class. They were married on October 18, 1959 and shared 45 years of marriage together and four children.

Both taught on Long Island. They moved to Great Neck and then to Roslyn where they built a life together. When Roger became a teacher, he originally thought he would do it for a couple of years and then move on to something else. As he found teaching, teaching found him. Roger taught for 35 years at Great Neck South High School. He was chairman of the math department and he coached the tennis and math teams. Like all great teachers, Roger taught his children and students how to think and experience life. He made learning fun and exciting. Everyone adored him. In the classroom and out, Roger Minionis touched people, brought humor into their lives and imparted wisdom.

His extended family, his sisters Ginette and Loris, and their children cherished him and considered him their father figure.

At 78-years-old, Roger Minionis left his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and many family and friends who throughout their lives, will continue to celebrate his. The family has asked that those wishing to make a donation in the memory of Roger Minionis, may do so to: The Palliative Care Institute, c/o Dr. James D'Olimpio, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030. This is a new program at the hospital, designed to give families access to both medical and spiritual advice in making difficult decisions regarding their loved ones.