Obituary of Margaret "Peggy" Westlund

Margaret Irene Westlund (Peggy), 88, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in Elsmere, Kentucky. Peggy was born a fraternal twin with her sister, Marianne (Polly) to her parents, Samuel and Margaret Webb October 4, 1936 in Topeka, Kansas. Sadly they lost both of their parents when they were young girls. They were raised by loving, godly grandparents who encouraged them to pursue college and careers in Music. Peggy received her Masters Degree in Music Education at the University of Michigan. The majority of her work life was spent as an elementary music teacher. After retirement she did some part time teaching at Northern Kentucky University inspiring college students along the same path she had chosen as a music teacher.

Peggy was such a joy-filled, ray of sunshine to everyone she met. She was very much like the Kansas Sunflowers that she loved so dearly! She touched the lives of so many people with her infectious laugh and a song always in her heart! Anyone who knew Peggy, knew that her family meant everything to her. The loss of her parents drove her desire to be a mother and wife and to have her own family. She and John were married on August 23, 1959 after he returned from the Army Reserve and they began their family by adopting Allison and Todd.

They moved from Kansas to Oskaloosa, Iowa where they were blessed by this nearly perfect, quaint little college town complete with a town square and bandstand and so many life long friends.

In 1976, Cold Spring, Kentucky and their hilltop farm was their next adventure complete with horses, motorcycles, animals of every kind and woods and a creek to explore!

Her sweetest gift was her beautiful Soprano voice. She and John shared the love of music their whole life together. Peggy was John’s favorite Soprano in every choir he led. They always served in a church choir over the years and there were many. They spent many years traveling and much of that was on choir tours to Europe where they sang in beautiful cathedrals. However, the most precious of all her performances was singing with her children and grandchildren. Her voice was beautiful and comforting.

Her love of life and family was evident in the way she lived. Always being such a supportive wife to John. She helped him to achieve his goals along the way and they were truly each others best friend. People still marvel at the special love they seemed to share for one another. They truly would spend their time together in everything rather than doing things separately. This is the bond that kept their marriage going for 65 years, having just celebrated it this past August. Her love for her children was very special. She always told Allison and Todd how very much they were loved and wanted. They never knew any differently as she demonstrated it in the way she was completely present in her role as their mother. Filling their days with fun, singing, exploration and much family time, she took her role to heart!

So Peggy, who loved to teach children to sing, then raised her own children and then got to enjoy having grandchildren! One of her greatest joys was just spending time with them. She made each one of them feel so special and loved. From reading, to playing, to baking cookies, they all loved their time with Mimi or Moggie as they sweetly called her.

If your path crossed Peggy’s at some point, consider yourself very blessed to have had her in your life. Sharing laughter and love and time were her favorite gifts to give to all that she loved.

Peggy leaves behind her beloved husband, John of 65 years, her daughter, Allison Langford (Matt), her son, Todd Westlund, her 5 Grandchildren, Alex, Ezra, Jane, Evan and Emma and her 3 Great Grandchildren, Nora, Finley and Noah. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Margaret Webb and her Father, Samuel Webb and her twin sister, Marianne (Polly) Webb.

Donations may be made in Peggy’s honor to the Dementia Society of America at:

https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate

Her joy, laughter and beautiful smile will be missed by us all.