Former area resident Margaret “Peg” Lucretia Kennedy Cooper Hessner died in Salmon, Idaho.

She was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, the first of four children born to Ella Fern (Boyd) and Rupert Kennedy. Her early childhood and school years were spent there; she later moved to Fruitland, Wash., and attended Columbia High School in Hunters until graduation. She completed nursing college in Denver, Colo., and returned to Fruitland where she married Arthur R. Cooper and gave birth to a daughter. In 1955, following her husband’s death, she moved to Spokane where she worked at McCollum Ford. She married Robert W. Hessner on Jan. 4, 1957, residing in Spokane for a while before returning to care for the family ranch in Fruitland. The years that followed included five children, dairying, farming, ranching, church and numerous family and youth activities, with the Sundowners 4-H horse club among them. In 1968 the family move to Colville, Wash., where she returned to nursing and was involved in the Stevens County Junior Sheriff’s’ Posse 4-H horse club and enjoyed sewing and working at Pinewood. In 1974 she moved to Enumclaw and worked for Bethesda Manor Nursing Home. In 1976 the couple moved to Buckley. She continued working for a nursing agency and then at Rainier School until her retirement. She enjoyed travel and spending time with relatives, reading, watching movies, sewing, gardening, canning, camping, sailing and spending tine at the beach. She moved to Queen Creek, Ariz., and in 2010 moved to Salmon, Idaho, remaining there until her death.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert W. Hessner; brothers Jack Kennedy (Maggie) of Grand Coulee, Wash., Gene Kennedy (Marlene) of Fruitland and Glenn Kennedy (Carol) of Deer Park, Wash.; children Candice Judd (Monte) of Chattaroy, Wash., Roberta Alcorn (John) of Buckley, Deborah Hoffman (RJ) of May, Idaho, William Hessner of Buckley, Margaret “Meg” Smith (Ken) of Deer Park and Kathleen Borgstrom (Todd Murray) of Carbonado; 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by first husband Art Coope and a sister-in-law, Merla Kennedy.

A spring memorial will take place in accordance with her wishes; a date and location will be announced.

Jones and Kasey Funeral Home of Salmon, Idaho, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, gifts should be made to the Hospice organization in Salmon, Idaho, or a charity of the donor’s choice.