Obituary: Margaret 'Peggy' Cecelia Langlois

Margaret “Peggy” Cecelia Langlois, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at Niagara Hospice on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, at the age of 93.

Peggy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and is survived by her children: Barbara Langlois, Ellen Langlois Quinn, Cecelia Langlois Byrne, James (Reze) Langlois and Mary (Joe) Langlois Genovese; by her grandchildren: William T. (Izabela) Van Ormer, Cateline Quinn, Kelly Byrne, Rosalie Newman, Annabel Newman, James Genovese, Melissa Genovese, Joey Genovese, Allison Genovese and James Langlois; by a great-grandchild, Sophia VanOrmer; and by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Darwin James (Jim) Langlois; by her mother, Margaret C. Kelly; by her father, Harold W. Christman; by her sister, Regina Stafford; and by brothers Harold Christman and Ronald (Arlene) Christman.

Peggy was born January 15, 1931, in Albany, to Margaret and Harold Christman. Peg’s early life was spent in Albany, with her Aunt Margaret and Uncle John McElwee. Later, she moved to Detroit with her Aunt Emily and Uncle Arthur Hessler. After high school, she worked as a comptroller operator.

She was very active in community service events and dance socials. It was there that she met her soulmate, Jim. They were both avid “Lindy” dancers and won many awards. They married on Nov. 17, 1951. After Jim graduated from the University of Detroit, with a chemical engineering degree, they started their family and lifelong adventure moving from city to city. Friendships were formed in the Buffalo/Niagara area, Wilmington (Delaware), Orange (Texas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), and her beloved Lewiston, where she resided since 1964.

Peggy devoted herself to raising their five children and a life of community service. Peggy was deeply involved with the Catholic community. Peggy was a devoted homemaker with many skills. She sewed clothing for all her children and grandchildren, made nightly dinners and still found time for community service work. This included service as a Girl Scout leader, Niagara County American Cancer Society daffodil chairman, Lewiston Service Guild president, St. Peter’s Rosary and Alter Society president, Catholic Sunday school teacher, Catholic Bingo hospitality lead, parish secretary and she was the first female Eucharistic minister at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. She received “The Lay Award of St. Joseph the Worker” in 1975 for her enthusiasm in sharing Christian joy and faith. Peggy and Jim led the effort to create and install St. Peter’s beautiful stained-glass windows installed in 1998.

Peggy was also an avid entertainer and extremely creative. She attended Woodstock, led bridge and book club luncheons and dinners with friends, as well as many dinner parties for family and friends. If there was something to be celebrated, Peggy was the first to host a party. There were also many impromptu kitchen table chats with friends and family over the years. She led a joyful life until the end and had the greatest positive spirit.

There will be no prior visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, from St. Peter's R.C. Church, 620 Center St., Lewiston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Peggy's memory to Niagara Hospice, or to St. Peter’s repair and improvement fund.

Please share condolences at www.HARDISONFUNERALHOMES.com.