MARGARET 'PEGGY' NELSON

Palmer resident Margaret "Peggy" Nelson, 96, passed away peacefully Sept. 4, 2004.

At her request, no services are planned. A gathering of family and friends was held to celebrate her life on Tues., Sept. 21, at the Palmer Pioneers' Home.

Mrs. Nelson was born Dec. 3, 1907 in Rutherford, N.J., to Edith Pagan and Belding Ackerman Hoyt. As a young woman she lived in Yonkers, N.Y., and worked for Metropolitan Life for 20 years. She married Robert Emil Nelson Jr. Aug. 19, 1944. They drove to Alaska with their first-born son, Stephen Robert, arriving in May 1947. In true pioneer spirit they homesteaded near Sutton. While there, another son, John, was born. Mrs. Nelson later moved to Palmer, where she resided for the remainder of her life.

Her loved ones said, "All who knew Peggy enjoyed her great sense of humor and quick wit. She loved animals and beautiful clothing. In her spare time she liked to read, play solitaire and sketch. Few knew of her incredible artistic ability. Peggy enjoyed singing and performed in the Valley Performing Arts play "The Mouse Trap" in 1979.

Mrs. Nelson's parents and husband preceded her in death, as did her four older siblings, two brothers; Belding Hoyt and Harold Hoyt and two sisters; Edith Humphrey and Ruth Seitz.

She is survived by her two sons, John Nelson of El Paso, Texas, and Steve and Alice Nelson of Mesa, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; three great- grandchildren and many other family members and friends.