Marguerite Elizabeth Hakken

Marguerite "Peggy" was born at Holland Hospital on 12th Street and Central Avenue, which later became a bed and breakfast. The Hadden family moved a great deal throughout Peggy's childhood living in Holland, Des Moines, Boston and Western Springs, Ill. Peggy attended Washington Elementary School, E.E. Fell Jr. High School and later graduated from Holland High School. Peggy graduated from Hope College and later earned a Master Degree from Michigan State University. Peggy joined Ottawa County's Civilian Air Patrol during WWII and eventually became a pilot, and was the first woman to serve in the Civilian Air Patrol. After graduating from Hope, she began teaching at Van Raalte Elementary School. Peggy left teaching when she married Bill because Holland Public Schools did not consider it proper for a married woman to work. After the war the couple returned from the Naval Air station at Whidby Island, WA, moving first to Grand Rapids and then settling in Holland. Peggy retruned to teaching at the West Ottawa Schools replacing her sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Hakken. Peggy spent most of her career as a Title I reading specialist, a position she held until her retirement at age 64 in 1985. Peggy was also involved in many different community activities including the Holland Junior Welfare League, Women's Literary Club, AAUW, Holland Garden Club, the Holland Hospital Children's Guild, the West Ottawa and Michigan Education Associations, and the Historical Society of Holland. Peggy also served as a Regeant of the Daughters of American Revolution. She served on the Board of Directors for the Holland Camp Fire Girls and was a founding member of the Holland Area Historical Advisory Council.