The Markow Family Tree

In a later dated March, 1996, Gloria M. Spiegler (5372 Beeler Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15217) writes: "We lived [in Monongahela] until I entered Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon University and we, ? and I, moved to Pittsburgh" "I am a professional musician, pianist and teacher and have a son, Oren, a child of my second marriage. "I was very young when I met Uncles Sol, Aaron, Louis and Mose. Aunts Rose and Celia lived in Pittsburgh and we were closer to them although mother and I visited Grandma (Rebecca) and Cima and Madeline every summer while I was growing up".I may have met your father-in-law [Shirleigh Silverman] once and Burt also. Arnold did visit in Pittsburgh and we knew him better.... "I am the youngest of the cousins and at 74 I have no thought of retirement!...." Ed Silverman recalled that he used to visit Monangehela in the summers and visit Gloria and her family. Cousins Merrill and Donald, in California in the Navy during the war, urged Gloria to come to California and be a lyricist in Hollywood; she did go but did not get a job as a lyricist. ES.

DEATH CLAIMS MAX L. SIEGLE Well Known Monongahela Business Man Victim of Heart Attack. Maxwell L. Siegle, prominent business man of Monongahela, died suddenly at his home, Marne avenue at Sixth street, early this morning. His death came as a distinct shock to his many friends. While members of Mr. Siegle's family were aware of a heart condition that caused them concern, never at any time had he had attacks of an extremely alarming nature. Mr. Siegle became suddenly ill last night and medical aid hastily summoned was of no avail; he succumbed to the attack at about two o'clock. The deceased, a native of Russia, was born June 17, 1880. For the past twelve years he had resided in Monongahela where he was the successful proprietor of the "Dollar Store." By his fairness and business integrity, he commanded the respect of all his associates. His devotion to his family was known to all; his hopes and ambitions were bounded by his affection for them. Surviving are his wife, Toube Siegle and one daughter, Gloria, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Dora Aaron, of Pittsburgh and Mrs. Harry Green, of Homestead; three brothers, Daniel, of Lancaster, and William and Jack, of Donora.

Taube Siegle Mrs. Taube Siegle, retired clothing store owner. artist and musician, died yesterday in Negley House. East Liberty. Mrs. Siegle. 86, of 5372 Beeler St., Squirrel Hill, operated Siegle's Ready-to-Wear Apparel Shop in Monongahela, Pa., for 30 years unti her retirement in 1957. A resident of Squirrel Hill since 1939, Mrs. Siegle was known as a painter and pianist. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Gloria Spiegler of Squirrel Hill: a sister, Cima Goldie of Baltimore, and one grandson. Friends will be received 90 minutes prior to services at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the Burton L. Hirsch Chapel, 2704 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. Burial will be in West View Cemetery, Ross Township.

Gloria M. Spiegler, 83, of Upper St. Clair, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005. Dear mother of Oren (Colleen) Spiegler. Cherished companion of her collie, Cami. Also survived by many cousins and friends. Visitation from 12:30 until 2 p.m. services Sunday at Rodef Shalom Temple, Fifth Avenue, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Animal Friends, 2643 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222; the Remembrance Fund or the Solomon B. Freehof Endowment Fund, 4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or a charity of choice. Arrangements by the WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SVC., Scott.

When Gloria Spiegler played piano, it was always more than background music to her audience. In 18 years as a pianist at the Omni William Penn Hotel, formerly the Penn Sheraton, and at restaurants, lounges, clubs, or for weddings and anniversaries, Mrs. Spiegler amazed listeners with her virtuosity as a performer and charmed them with her personality. "She impressed them with her ebullience and joie de vivre, and that she could rattle off so many songs," said her son, Oren Spiegler, of Upper St. Clair. "She was classically trained and had a tremendous technique," said Mary Lou Haugh, local pianist and friend. "Her command of the instrument was outstanding." Mrs. Spiegler, of Upper St. Clair, died Tuesday evening at Jefferson Regional Medical Center due to complications of a stroke and a pulmonary embolism. The longtime Squirrel Hill resident was 83. Born Gloria Siegle in Monongahela, Washington County, on Nov. 11, 1921, Mrs. Spiegler was valedictorian of Monongahela High School's Class of 1939. She attended Carnegie Mellon University, then Carnegie Institute of Technology. Majoring in piano, she also became known for composing Broadway songs and musicals and for her performances in the university's "Scotch and Soda" shows. But after graduating in 1943, she largely gave up composing to focus on teaching the piano and performing. "At one time she went to New York, but nothing came of it, though she had hopes for that," said Spiegler of his mother's composing. "So often she would perform [her songs] and people would be bowled over by them and say, 'You have to publish these.' " It was after her marriage to Dr. Kurt Samuel Spiegler ended in 1959 that she most fully embraced "her first love," that of performing, most prominently four-year stint at the Penn Sheraton. "Her forte was being a soloist," said Haugh. "She had a marvelous ear; if you hummed a tune she could play it. She took all kinds of requests. She knew entire scores of shows." "She liked to take classical pieces and play them in a popular style," said Marjorie Steen, a former violinist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. "She was an improviser." "I heard her once do 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' in the style of Mozart, and it was fantastic," said Haugh. Mrs. Spiegler also was a sought-after teacher in the area, teaching for 60 years as many as 75 students a week. Away from music, she found a different sort of harmony with her beloved collie, Cami. Contributions may be made to Animal Friends, 2643 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh 15222, or Rodef Shalom Congregation Remembrance Fund or Solomon B. Freehof Endowment Fund, 4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh 15213. William Slater Funeral Home, 1650 Greentree Road, is handling the funeral. A memorial service will take place at Rodef Shalom Temple, where Mrs. Spiegler was a member, at 2 p.m. Sunday, with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m. and burial following at West View Cemetery in Ross.

Pianist struck chord of harmony with many Jerry Vondas|Thursday, February 24, 2005 12:00 a.m. Gloria Spiegler was a talented pianist who entertained members of the Concordia Club, Pittsburgh Golf Club and the PAA, as well as patrons of the Hilton and William Penn hotels. She also taught others to play the piano and for 60 years gave lessons in her Squirrel Hill home. Mrs. Spiegler, of Upper St. Clair and formerly of Squirrel Hill, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, in the hospice care at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Jefferson Hills. She was 83. Albert and Adele Raizman recalled Mrs. Spiegler’s warm and affable rapport with members of the Concordia Club in Oakland. “It was a pleasure to walk in the lobby of the club and to see and hear Gloria at the piano,” said club member Adele Raizman, who was one of Mrs. Spiegler’s students. “Gloria was always ready to accommodate a member who made a request for a song.” Oren Spiegler said his mother cherished her role as a piano teacher and was devoted to her students. “At the height of my mother’s teaching career, she had at least 75 students every week,” he said. “After my parents divorced in 1959, my mother — who had a terrific work ethic — raised me in her role as a single mother. She also cared for my grandmother who lived with us.” Born and raised in Monongahela, Washington County, Mrs. Spiegler was the only child of Max and Taube Silverman Siegle. Her father operated clothing stores in Monongahela and Donora. Upon his death in 1935, Mrs. Spiegler helped her mother run the business. “My grandmother continued to operate the stores until she closed them in the 1960s,” Spiegler said. “Throughout her life, my mother never seemed to tire. She received her work ethic from my grandparents.” Mrs. Siegle died in 1978. Mrs. Spiegler was a 1939 graduate of Monongahela High School and was the class valedictorian. She enrolled at Carnegie Institute of Technology — now Carnegie Mellon University — and received her undergraduate degree in fine arts. At Carnegie Tech, Mrs. Spiegler honed her skills as a pianist and developed her talents as a composer and performer, said her son. “My mother wrote and contributed a large volume of music for Carnegie Tech’s Scotch ‘n’ Soda Theater,” he said. In 1955, she married Kurt S. Spiegler, a mechanical engineer employed by Gulf Oil Corp. at the Harmarville Research Center. “Dad had emigrated from Austria after World War II,” Spiegler said. “He lost both of his parents in the Holocaust. My father was a noted expert and writer in the field of desalination.” Mr. Spiegler died in 2001. During one of Mrs. Spiegler’s hotel appearances Downtown, she had the opportunity to perform before National Public Radio jazz pianist Marian McPartland. “My mother treasured a note of praise that Miss McPartland sent to her,” her son said. Although she was in her early 80s when she moved to Upper St. Clair in 2002 to be close to her son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Spiegler — ever the piano teacher — established a class of students in her neighborhood and taught until her health began to decline. Mrs. Spiegler is survived by a son, Oren M. Spiegler, and his wife, Colleen, of Upper St. Clair. Visitation will be 90 minutes before the funeral service at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Aaron Center of Rodef Shalom Congregation, Fifth Avenue, Oakland, where Mrs. Spiegler was a member. Interment will be at West View of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Arrangements by William Slater II Funeral Services, Scott.