Margaret Muehleisen Tallon

Margaret Muehleisen Tallon, 102, was born on February 20, 1921, and died on September 3, 2023. She was pre-deceased by her husband Col. William Paul Tallon, Jr., parents Carl and Anne Scully Muehleisen, brothers Maurice Muehleisen and Carl Muehleisen, Jr., and daughter Grace Tallon Johnston. She is survived by a sister, Anne Muehleisen Johnston-Leeds, Leeds Point, NJ.; six children, Beth Tallon Anderson (Larry), Florence, SC; Tom Tallon (Eileen), Florence, SC; Mary Kay Spahl (Len), Byram Township, NJ; Barb Williams (Joe), Clarksville, TN; Mark Tallon (Carol), Shalotte, NC; and Trish Tallon-Blanchard, Nashville, TN; son-in-law, Jay Johnston (Beth), Mt. Pleasant, SC; 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Since she began her married life to an Army officer in 1947, Peg’s faith inspired her to work in various capacities at the numerous parishes where she lived in the United States and Europe. In 1972 at St. Anthony’s in Florence, she was involved with the Friends of St. Anthony School, Run for the Heroes, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary Ministry, the Prayer Shawl knitting ministry, and made vestments, altar cloths, and religious banners. Peg was a member of the Women of St. Anthony’s and served as president of the Women’s Guild in 1978-79. She was named Catholic Woman of the Year at St. Anthony’s in 1978 and Catholic Woman of the Year for South Carolina in 1985. She was also a member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality at every Army post where her husband served. She and her husband were major contributors to the playground at St. Anthony’s School honoring the memory of their late daughter Grace Tallon Johnston. In addition to her work with churches, Peg volunteered in numerous organizations. She was troop leader for Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, was a member of The Red Cross Hospital and Recreation Corps known as Grey Ladies, assisted in Army post thrift shops, and was a founding member of Arts Alive in Florence. She was an active member of the Officers’ Wives Club at every post, and served as an officer of the group at several locations. Peg attended the School of Industrial Arts in Trenton, NJ, on Saturdays throughout elementary and high school. There she learned embroidery, knitting, quilting, dressmaking, millinery, and appliqué. She was self-taught in many crafts including beading, decoupage, painting, and doll-making. She took art classes at each of the nine Army posts where her husband was stationed and at Francis Marion. She maintained a lifelong interest in all of the aforementioned activities, influencing countless people with her passion for the arts and community service. Peg was a firm believer that there is never a bad time to eat ice cream. If life is good, celebrate with ice cream. If things are not going so well, ponder your choices over ice cream. If you are feeling crushed by life, yes…ice cream. She was a great listener comforting everyone who met her. A mother to all, her limitless love enlightened those who encountered her, and that light shines through everyone who knew her. She was our Mom, Nonnie, Grandma, Gran, friend, our Peg O’ My Heart. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Florence National Cemetery. Vigil service will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank Peg’s devoted caregivers at Comfort Keepers and Pruitt Hospice for the loving care they gave. Their names will forever be written in our hearts. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic School or St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2536 Hoffmeyer Road, Florence, SC 29501 or to Pruitt Hospice, 2051 Elijah Ludd Road #1, Florence, SC 29501. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.