Margaret Louise Lee "Peggy" Hahn

HAHN, Margaret Louise Lee "Peggy," 85, died peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2009 in her husband and daughters' arms after bravely fighting a lengthy illness at her home, Hickory Hill Farm. She was born in DeWitt, Va. on December 17, 1923 to the late Nolie Dillon and Travis Taylor Lee. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Travis Taylor Lee; sister, Helen Lee Wilhite; son, William Marshall Hahn; infant granddaughter, Baby Hahn Hurst; and son-in-law, Leigh Gifford Hurst. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of almost 61 years, T. Marshall Hahn Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Lee Hahn and Douglas S. Chancey; daughter, Anne Hahn Hurst, all of Blacksburg; and grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth McKelvy of Gill, Mass., Shane Dillon McKelvy of Asheville, N.C. and Marshall Hahn Hurst of Blacksburg; and her devoted caregiver, Shanna Letner. In addition, she is survived by her brothers, James Dillon Lee and Robert Daniel Lee of DeWitt, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, William Meredith and Shirley Abernathy Lee of Williamsburg; sister and brother-in-law, Martha Lee and Jerry Norton of Sequim, Wash.; and sister-in-law, Eva Lee of Dewitt. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Peggy went to public schools in Dinwiddie County, Va. and graduated from Madison State Teachers College (now James Madison University) in 1945, after which she taught home economics at Bladensburg High School, Md. Peggy and Marshall were married on December 27, 1948 in DeWitt. During her marriage to Dr. Hahn, she was a successful and much loved First Lady throughout his presidency at Virginia Tech from 1962-1975. Her love of flowers and gardening is legendary, evidenced by her determination to see the Peggy Lee Hahn Horticulture Gardens and Pavilion at Virginia Tech brought to fruition. The embodiment of a gracious lady and consummate hostess, she spent many years at her husband's side while he served as president and CEO of Georgia Pacific in Portland, Oregon and Atlanta, Ga. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling around the world, but ultimately returned to Blacksburg and Hickory Hill, which she often referred to as "the most beautiful place on earth," where her greatest joys were tending her gardens and spending time with her family. She continued to support Virginia Tech throughout her life as a member of the President's Circle of the Ut Prosim Society, Legacy Society and Hokie Club. She loved attending football and basketball games and was especially fond of the Garden Gala held at the gardens each summer. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, December 14, 2009 at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Reggie Tuck and Rev. Herbert Hobbs officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you please consider a memorial contribution to the Peggy Lee Hahn Horticulture Gardens. Donations may be mailed to: Virginia Tech Foundation, Virginia Tech, University Development (0336), Attn: Gift Accounting, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.