Margaret “Peggy” Ann Norton died peacefully at home, May 26, 2006 surrounded by family. She was born Feb. 13, 1938 to Louise and Walter Hillen in Queens, N.Y. and grew up on Long Island.

Wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, her life was a great blessing to all who knew her.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ronald; sister Marianne; sons Ronald Jr. and Robert; daughters Joyce and Jill; plus eight grandchildren: Mindy, Robbie and Kristen Norton; Madison, Hailey and Shelby Norton; Rebecca and Nichole Linton; Jerimiah and Amber Lamb, and several nephews.

As a Navy spouse, Peggy was the family anchor during her husband’s 26-year military career, especially while he recovered from two serious combat injuries from service in Viet Nam.

She worked 20 years for Washington’s Department of Social Services determining client eligibility, supervising several financial areas, and helping to establish 12 Planned Parenthood clinics on tribal reservations in the state. She had worked eight years in a similar position in Ventura County, California prior to moving to Washington 28 years ago.

In retirement, Peggy became deeply involved in volunteer activities. She was Executive Director of Helping Hand of South Whidbey the past four years, for which she was honored with Island County’s 2006 Health Hero Award. She also served on the Whidbey Island Share-A-Home Board of Directors, and on Habitat for Humanity of Island County’s volunteer, family selection, and partnership committees.

In her spare time, Peggy was an avid gardener, and loved to play the organ.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Helping Hand of South Whidbey, Habitat for Humanity of Island County, or the American Cancer Society.