Margaret Ann “Peg” Hennenfent Hannam passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024 in Knoxville, Illinois. Born on September 3, 1946, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Shirley A. (Cunningham) and Leo A. Hennenfent, Peg was a cherished sibling, loving mother, and doting grandmother.
Peg devoted her life to the care and wellbeing of others. After completing her nursing education, she pursued a career that spanned several decades. Peg was known to many through her dedicated service at Dr. William Giles’ office, Galesburg Cottage Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center, and the American Red Cross. She also worked for the Knox County Health Department in WIC and Family Case Management, retiring in 2000. In more recent years, she provided in-home care and support for several elderly friends and family members. Peg was married to Rolland Hannam from 1971 to 1985.
Peg was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. In earlier years, she had been active in the Knox County Farm Bureau Home Extension and volunteered her time to 4-H youth development, fostering growth and learning in new generations. As a founding board member, she helped establish Prairieland Hospice, which is now Hospice Compassus. Peg was passionate about sewing, a skill she first learned as a child from her grandmother.
Outside of her professional and community work, Peg embraced life’s adventures to the fullest. Fulfilling a dream, she soared to new heights by going skydiving. Peg enjoyed revisiting fond memories of trips taken with family and friends over the years. She found joy in the simple pleasure of watching sports, particularly women’s basketball, and was an ardent supporter of her family members during sporting events.
Peg is lovingly remembered by her sons, Jeff (Kelly) Hannam of Williamsfield, Illinois and Brad (Ami) Hannam of Naperville, Illinois; her sisters, Connie Smith of Knoxville, Illinois, Becky Conley of Clinton, Iowa, and Mary (Mark) Ebert of Kewanee, Illinois; her brothers, Dan (Marcy) Hennenfent of Ottawa, Illinois, John (Holly) Hennenfent of Galesburg, Bob (fiancé Lou Ann Cavanaugh) Hennenfent of Wataga, Illinois, Jeff (Merris) Hennenfent of Dahinda, Illinois; her grandchildren, Landon, Emerson, Grayson, Alex, and Olivia; her sisters-in-law, Judy Hennenfent of Knoxville and Kim Hennenfent of Wataga; dear friends, Catherine Wiley-Parkin, Roy Parkin, and Sharon Hill of Galesburg; and many nieces and nephews. She joins in eternal rest her parents; her daughter, Jennifer Lynn; her brothers, Mike Hennenfent and Pat Hennenfent; her brothers-in-law, James Smith and William Conley; and a sister-in-law, Christine Hennenfent.
Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg with the rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 15, 2024 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Hospice Compassus, or the Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
