Margaret A Nilson

Margaret A. "Peggy" Nilson, 68, of Franklin, died at 9:48 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at UPMC Northwest. Born May 29, 1940, in Titusville, she was the daughter of Theodore Volkstadt and Anna May Loebelenz. Mrs. Nilson was employed at IU 6 and Valley Grove School District as a teacher's aide. She retired in 2007. She was a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodios Orthodox Church. She was a former organist and choir director of Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin and former organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin and St. Paul's UCC Church in Titusville. She was married Aug. 7, 1965, to Richard N. Nilson, and he preceded her in death. A talent musician, Peggy devoted her life sharing her gift of music. Peggy spent many hours playing the piano at home filling the house with music. She was a wonderful mother and enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren. Peggy as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and devoted Christian, shared her heart and soul with any task that was presented to her. She also enjoyed teaching special needs children. She is survived by four children, Kurt Nilson and his wife, Jennifer, of Johnstown, Kevin Nilson and his wife, Jessica, of Garden Grove, Calif., Sonja Stewart and her husband, Derek, of Franklin and Jennifer Nilson of Pittsburgh; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Nilson of Pittsburgh, Alexander Nilson of Johnstown, Kaitlyn Nilson of Garden Grove, Calif. and Marissa, Damon, Elijah and Jonah Stewart, all of Franklin; and a brother-in-law, Norman Nilsson and his wife, Sandy, of Franklin. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard Nilson, who died March 1, 1989. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Robert W. Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., in Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sts. Cyril and Methodios Orthodox Church at Camp Nazareth, 339 Pew Road, Mercer, off of Route 58 with the Rev. Michael Ellis, director of Camo Nazareth, officiating and assisted by the Rev. Frederick Watson of Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Phoenixville. A brief memorial service (Panachida) will be held at 6:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville. Memorials can be made to Camp Nazareth, 339 Pew Road, Mercer or to the American Cancer Society. Condolences can be sent online at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.