MARGARET HUSSON HESSELBACH KAISER

Wasilla resident Margaret Husson Hesselbach Kaiser, also known as "Jimmie" or "Peggy," died Nov. 9, 2001, at Pat's Care assisted living home in Wasilla after a long illness. She was 78.

According to her wishes, her children will scatter her ashes in her garden and theirs.

Mrs. Kaiser was born May 5, 1923, in Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in home economics.

Mrs. Kaiser moved to Wasilla in 1988.

She had been self-employed as a realtor in New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Alaska. She was also a "prolific renovator of numerous fine homes" in those states, her family said.

She also had an untiring commitment to United Way and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mrs. Kaiser was the first woman to successfully coach an award-winning basketball team of high school boys in Englewood, N.J.

Her family said, "Marge's passing deprives her family, caregivers and friends of her twinkling eyes and wonderful smile. We will also sorely miss her outrageous beef stroganoff and her dry wit. Our pain is eased by knowing she began her final journey surrounded by love."

Mrs. Kaiser is survived by her friend, Carolyn Hesselbach, of the Cayman Islands; sister, Shirley Kraus, of Asheville, N.C.; sons, daughters and their spouses: Bob and Debbie Good-Hesselbach, Bruce and Melissa McElroy-Hesselbach, of Wasilla, Ellen Dorsa, of San Jose, Calif., and Karen and Brad Finn, of Brisbee, Ariz.; grandchildren, Michael and Dawn Maine, of Orlando, Fla., Austin and Alan Jensen, Cara, Beck and Kirk Hesselbach, of Wasilla, Maia Van Heeswick, of Camden, Maine, and Jennifer and Crystal Lona, of Hollywood, Fla.; many great-grandchildren; and friends and caregivers, Patsy Long, Gayle Garvin and Peggy Groth, of Wasilla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Pack and Harry Husson; ex-husband, Dr. Charles Hesselbach; and longtime companion, Gene Silvers.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Resource Agency, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer, AK, 99645. Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.