Margaret "Peggy" Wilson

December 19, 1948 – December 10, 2024

Margaret Newcomb Blake was born on December 19, 1948 in Evanston, Illinois. The eldest of two daughters of Margaret Bird Blake and Emmit Reid Blake, she lived all her early life in the Chicago suburb. Her father was a curator in the bird department at the Field Museum in Chicago and was fond of saying he liked to study birds and even married one.

Peggy was educated at Evanston Township High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin in 1979. In 1978 she married Dr. Peter M. Kranz, a palentologist and dinosaur hunter. They spent much of their marriage traveling the world, and in 1981 their only child, Alexander Kranz, was born while they were living in Japan. Although their marriage ended in 1989, they remained close friends throughout her life.

In January 1990, Peggy married Thomas Williams Wilson III of Washington, DC. Tragically, Tom passed away in October of that same year, but their too short union marked some of the happiest moments of her life and she kept his memory alive for the remainder of hers.

Peggy very proudly worked in the Policy and Global Affairs department of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC, from the early 1980s up until her passing. Her work, supporting visiting scientists and promoting science for public good, was something she was tremendously proud of and which brought her great joy.

Peggy was a lover of travel and exploring the world with family and friends, spending time throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. She had a lifelong passion for music and singing, and sang with various groups throughout her life including the Chicago Opera, the Choral Arts Society and Christmas Revels, and the choir at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church of Washington DC. Peggy had a strong love for the arts and spent much of her free time attending performances or ushering at theatres throughout the city.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wilson, and her parents Margaret and Emmit Blake.

She is survived by her son Alex Kranz and his wife Jenny of Alexandria, VA; her grandsons Isaac and Zachary Kranz; her sister Elizabeth Blake of Evanston; her cousin Katherine Bird of San Francisco; and many close friends who became family to her.

A memorial service will be conducted at DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC at 10am on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Valet parking will be available.