Longtime Kalispell resident Margaret L. “Peggy” Person died peacefully at the age of 97, Thursday, March 20, 2014, at her apartment at Touchmark in Helena.

Peggy Wilson was born March 9, 1917, to Douglas N. Wilson and Ethel Louise (Lambie) Wilson in Great Falls where she grew up. She loved telling childhood stories about family trips she took throughout Montana in the family's Maxwell automobile, when camping along the roadside was the norm for accommodations. The family enjoyed a cabin at Power Coulee in the Little Belt Mountains that was the center of many outdoor adventures and many of her happiest moments. Peggy was an avid swimmer and sharp-shooter and was very active in a wide range of school activities including playing flute in the band. Her abiding love of the outdoors was a gift passed on to her children who at her knee learned the names of the flowers, the joys of cold mountain streams and the bracing sweetness of the mountain air.

 Upon graduation from Great Falls High School, Peggy attended the university in Missoula (then called Montana State University) where she majored in English. While at the university, she continued playing the flute and was active in the Delta Gamma sorority, eventually serving as chapter president. She also spent one memorable summer working at the Two Medicine Chalet in Glacier National Park, which left her with wonderful memories.

 Peggy married Bruce Person in 1943 when he was stationed with the Army Air Corps in Great Falls. After a number of moves with the military and later completion of Bruce's education, the family moved to Missoula and later to Kalispell.

While in Missoula, Peggy resumed teaching high school English as a substitute teacher at Missoula County High School. She later resumed full time teaching responsibilities in the English faculty at Flathead High School.

Upon her retirement from teaching, Peggy remained active in the Kalispell community volunteering in schools and other community groups. She remained an active member of the AAUW, PEO, First Presbyterian Church and Friends of the Library, and maintained many strong friendships. She also traveled extensively in Europe, the U.S. and Canada.

Following a period of failing health she moved from Kalispell to Helena late in 2013.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce A. Person; her brother, D. Norman Wilson; and her son-in-law, Michael Kress. 

She is survived by her sisters, Helen Wilson and Muriel Buckley of Great Falls; her son, Bob Person, and his wife, Toni, of Helena; her daughter, Kathryn Kress, of Missoula; as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 The family is extremely grateful for the excellent care she received from the staff at Touchmark who were above and beyond in their very personal services to her. Hospice of St. Peter's and their team were also key supporters, if for a very short time at the end of life.

Memorials may be made to the nature or wild animal conservation organization of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at the First Presbyterian Church in Great Falls. A reception will immediately follow with location to be announced. Interment will follow the reception and will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Mausoleum in Great Falls. 

Retz Funeral Home in Helena is handling arrangements. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Peggy.