Margaret McLachlin, 93

Margaret “Peggy” McLachlin, 93, died Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

Margaret was born March 5, 1918 in Benson, the daughter of Irving McLaren and Margaret (Denfeld) Hudson. After spending a year in the Napa Valley living with her aunt, she graduated from Benson High School. She then attended Mills College and the University of Minnesota, from which she graduated in 1939. After teaching in Luverne she moved to San Francisco where she met her future husband, Harry D. McLachlin, then serving in the Navy.

They were married in Benson in October 1946 and lived near San Francisco and later in Tenafly, New Jersey (also Arcadia, California) where their two sons were raised. Margaret attended Rutgers and Montclair State Universities, studying education and was a substitute teacher before teaching high school English full-time for several years after the loss of her husband in January 1966.

After retiring, Margaret lived several years in Chesterfield, Missouri and Northfield before relocating to Alexandria in 2000, due to its proximity to Glenwood and the family “cottage” on Lake Minnewaska where she spent many summers from childhood on.

Margaret was an avid traveler, both nationally and internationally, and readily shared her experiences in China, various European countries and elsewhere. She had a special fondness for Elderhostels and attended at least a dozen in locations from Massachusetts to California. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Alexandria and an active member of or volunteer for several civic and educational organizations including P.E.O., DAR, AAUW and the Alexandria Literacy Project. Peggy brought a cheerful smile and a warm heart to everyone she knew – “just such a nice person.”

Margaret is survived by her son, Harry McLachlin (Marjolein) of Darien, Ct.; daughter-in-law, Judy McLachlin of Chesterfield, Mo.; sister-in-law, Alice (McLachlin) Blackstock of Edmonds, Wa.; four grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Robert; parents; brothers, Robert and Sanford “Sandy;” and sister, Janet.

A memorial service will be held at Nelson Gables in the Governor’s Room on Saturday, October 1 at 2 p.m. with Chaplain Jim Oakland officiating. Interment will be at Benson City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Nelson Gables, 1220 Nokomis St. or to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 602 12th Avenue East, Alexandria MN 56308.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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