Margaret-Ann Helen Lang, known by all as “Peggy,” died peacefully at home in Anacortes, surrounded by her sons and daughters, on May 17, 2002, after an extended illness.
Peggy was born on June 4, 1932, in Vancouver, B.C., the eldest daughter of Robert and Marjorie Johnson. She spent her childhood in Vancouver, singing with the All-Vancouver Bach Choir and recording advertising jingles for radio. After graduation from high school, she went to work for Kelly’s Music Store, a family business. She was a life-long music lover and a charter member of the Vancouver Jazz Club.
She met her future husband, Howard Lang, on a blind date in 1955, and they were married on Sept. 28, 1956. She joined him in Anacortes where he was employed as a school teacher.
The rest of her life was spent in Anacortes, and she took up the vocation of tax consulting after Howard became disabled by a stroke in 1973. In 2001, she was honored by the Washington Society of Tax Consultants as the state’s Tax Preparer of the Year.
She loved the fine arts, and one of her great joys was an annual vacation with her children to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. She was a passionate gardener, traveler, reader, and grandmother. Her love of Christmas extended throughout the year, and her collection of hand-blown Christmas ornaments was unrivaled.
Preceding her in death were husband, Howard in 1992 and daughter, Maggie in 2000. She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Lang of Anacortes, Sherry Graden and husband Calvin of Poulsbo, Beth Clark and husband Craig of Anacortes; sons, Kurt Lang and wife Joan Rave of Mount Vernon, and Karl Lang and wife Cathy of Oak Harbor. In addition, she is survived by her brother, Robert Johnson of Vancouver, B.C.; her sister, Barbara Pering of Vancouver, B.C.; and grandchildren, Ian, Kelsey, and Emily.
A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 25 at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor, followed by a 1 p.m. memorial service at First Baptist Church in Anacortes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Salvation Army, PO Box 303, Anacortes WA 98221, a charity Peggy believed in deeply. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes.
