Eernisse Funeral

	Eernisse Funeral Homes

Margaret "Peg" Bannon
Visitation: Thursday, May 11, 2006 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM St. Peter's Catholic Church 1800 N. Wisconsin St. Port Washington, WI 53074 Service: Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:00 PM St. Peter's Catholic Church 1800 N. Wisconsin St. Port Washington, WI 53074	VIEW/SEND CONDOLENCES

Margaret Bannon Margaret Bannon, 55, of Port Washington, died Monday after a courageous battle with breast cancer. While Bannon is most well known as the first female police officer in southeastern Wisconsin, her large family and many friends knew “Peg” as a fun loving, kind extraverted person. Bannon enjoyed traveling, gardening, cross stitching, farmers markets and good food and wine. Peg was often in the company of her many close friends all of whom she referred to as “girlfriend” to the amusement of her husband, Al Esselmann. “She would light up a room,” said Barbara Eder, Peg’s sister. “Peg was so much fun. She was up for anything.” Bannon made friends and started conversations just about wherever she went whether it was in Port, walking on the beach near her condo in Florida, while traveling in Greece or aboard a cross town bus touring New York. Bannon’s sense of humor added to her approachability. “Peggy always used to tell people I was the older sister,” said sister Monica Murdo, who is actually 10 years younger then Peg, who was the eldest of eight children. You could find Bannon at The Pasta Shoppe many weekends dining with a large, lively group of locals and socializing with Maria Kiesow, longtime friend and owner of the Port restaurant with husband Jim. “People wanted to be with her, wanted to be near her,” Kiesow said. “You never had to work at a friendship with her. She was the easiest person to get along with.” As a Port police officer for 27 years, Bannon was known for effective conflict management and interviewing. She specialized in sexual assault cases. Bannon battled the disease several years while maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude. When she lost her hair, Bannon grew an impressive collection of hats and was known to indulge in bracelets and pedicures. She spoke candidly about the progression of the disease and took comfort from the support she received. “Whenever she was sick, she would try to be strong for us instead of worrying about herself,” Kiesow said. “She would always say, I’m sorry I have to put you through this when she was the one suffering.” Loving wife of Al Esselmann. Beloved mother of Neeley and Molly (fiancé Jeremy Anderson) Hornslein and step-mother of Robin (Andy) Meyer, and Greg and Brad Esselmann. Grandmother of Emma and Ellie Meyer and Matthew Esselmann. Survived by sisters Barbara (Andrew) Eder and Monica Murdo, and brothers Paul, Mark (Lynne), Barney (Liz), Tom (Sheri), and Matthew (Theresa). Further survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by parents Mark and Patricia Bannon. Memorial Mass Thursday May 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Port Washington. Visitation at the Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Inurnment at St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Port Washington. Memorials appreciated, in lieu of flowers, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

Margaret "Peg" Bannon