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Peggy Clark Yearout Abbey, 89, peacefully passed away on February 17, 2013
after a long and fulfilling life.
Peggy was born on November 25, 1923 near Pomona, Kansas, to Bess (Clark) and Charles
Lewis Blackburn. Peggy's childhood goal was always to 'sing on the radio,' and from
age 13 she sang and played piano and guitar at county fairs and amateur contests.
She became a professional musician at age 18, playing and singing with Ted West and the Range Riders
at radio station WREN in Lawrence, Kansas. For several years, Peggy toured the
Midwest with this group and played and sang at radio stations in Kansas, Iowa, Indiana and
South Dakota.
In 1951, Peggy joined KCMO radio and married Bill Yearout, one of Kansas City's
first TV weathermen.
She later appeared on KCMO TV in its early days. In the mid-'50s, Peggy began playing the
piano and singing in clubs and hotels around town, including the Muehlbach Hotel, Bellerive Hotel,
and several others.
In 1960, she partnered with guitar and banjo player Ted Painter, and for 10
years they entertained at the Downtowner, the Aladdin, the Inn at the Landing, and
the Roaring Twenties. After Ted's death in 1970, Peggy continued her solo career
at Reagan's Riverboat and the Overland Park Ramada Inn.
Peggy retired in 1983 but for several years continued to perform weekly at the Abdallah Shrine
Temple where her husband, Carl Abbey, was a member.
Peggy is survived by her beloved daughter, Megan Yearout Cahill and Megan's husband Bill Cahill,
Leawood, Kansas; sisters, Eleanor Cole of Ottawa and Miriam Bastian, and Miriam's
husband Bruce of Montgomery, Texas. She is also survived by her four grandsons,
five great-grandsons, the whole Cahill clan; eight nieces and nephews and
their children and grandchildren, and her many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harlan Blackburn and Ken Blackburn,
her husband Carl Abbey and former husband Bill Yearout.
Peggy was warm, funny, generous, beautiful and talented. She touched many lives and although
we are comforte that she is no longer in pain, we will miss her terribly.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Kansas City Hospice House 12000 Wornall Rd.,
Kansas City, MO 64154.
A private family Celebration of Peggy's Life will be held at a later date.
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