Margaret Anthony

We are very sad to report the death of Margaret (Peggy) Jane Anthony on 16 October 2021.  Peggy was born on 2/18/1940 in the Stroudsburg area, the first of four daughters born to Julia Carolyn (Doyle) and Peter Joseph Lakavage.  She lived most of her life on Furnace Road in Lehigh Furnace, Lehigh County.  She graduated from Slatington High School and worked a long career with Western Electric and thru its various transitions.  Peggy loved to garden, was a great cook and a talented crafter, an avid reader and eventually started a successful antiquarian bookstore with her partner in crime and best friend, Gail Haldeman.  Peggy and Gail traveled, loved birdwatching, dogs and cats.  Peggy loved anything to do with nature except for snakes.   She was an active member and volunteer for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Slatington and could be seen working in the kitchen or baking for fund raisers, cleaning or arranging flowers for the church.  She was also a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.  You never left Peggy’s home without some small gift, a book, a plant, something she made or cooked.

Peggy’s local claim to fame was as the leader of Senior Girl Scout Troop 159 with members in Slatington, Slatedale and New Tripoli.  Under her guidance, the girls raised money to offset half the cost of a two-week tour to England, Scotland and Ireland in 1969.   Peggy’s ambition was to have them see what was possible and they did.  We thank you for that!  Peggy loved those girls as her own and they returned that respect to her over the years.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carol Ann Musto, her son, Peter Michael Anthony, her niece Lisa Snyder, her first husband William Earl Anthony and her closest friend and companion, Gail Haldeman.  Peggy is survived by her husband Carl Bauer, her sisters Mary Kathlyn Garrison and Star Lakavage (husband Michael Shelby Walker) and her niece Sheilah Michaels (husband Michael McCord).  We wish to thank the very gracious and skilled staff at Fellowship Manor and a special thank you to her Furnace Road Family for all their friendship, kindness, help and attention over the years.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church, 649 W. Washington Street, Slatington.  There will be no calling hours.  Please, at Peggy’s request, no flowers but put those thoughts to good use by sending a donation to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.  Arrangements are in the hands of Harding’s Funeral Home, Slatington.