Peggy was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 1, 1925 to Myretta Cooley and Jonas Wesley Williams. She was raised by her grandparents, Minnie Susan and Andrew Wood Cooley in the Miller Ward area of Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 1943 Peggy graduated from Granite High School and enrolled in the L.D.S. Hospital School of Nursing as part of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps as an enlisted member of the U.S. Army Air Forces at the height of World War II. Being both a nurse and a cadet was a way to serve her country. During the War, Peggy participated in a small piece of medical history when she gave the first penicillin shot in Utah.
On November 5, 1948 Peggy married her high school sweetheart, Jay Dee Hansen. Together they had four children: Karen, David, Stephen and Jon. Peggy was a devoted partner to her sweetheart, and a loving mother. She embraced her role as grandmother with joy and enthusiasm and treasured each great-grandchild.
Working for over 40 years in the Operating Room at Cottonwood Hospital, Peggy was a compassionate and caring nurse and respected for her feisty attitude. She received the Nurse Excellence award in 1998. She retired in 2007 at the age of 82, at the time, the oldest full-time practicing nurse in the State of Utah. Her nursing co-workers were life-long friends.
Peggy was passionate about music serving as ward choir director for decades, artistic director of Pro Musica and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Young Artist Chamber Players. Her commitment to young performers has influenced the lives of many gifted musicians.
Peggy is survived by her children Karen (Dan), David, Jon (Barb); grandchildren Dagny (David), Andra (Peter), Jono (Rebekah); great grandchildren Samuel, Megan, Cora, Maxwell, Simon, Eilah and Graeme. She is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Jay, and son Stephen.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Valley View 8th Ward, 4395 South Albright Drive, Holladay, Utah. Friends and family may visit on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive and at the church Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
Our family would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation for the love and support from Peggy's friends & neighbors, with a special thank you to Dr. Gregory Parkin
