Obituary of Peggy Ann Hassan

Peggy Ann (Arnold) Hassan (affectionately known as “Ba Ba”) was born June 26, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan, the fifth of six children to the union of the late William Henry Arnold, and Geneva Shaw Arnold. She transitioned from this life on June 11, 2020. The family relocated from Detroit to Akron, Ohio in 1957 where Peggy attended Akron Public Schools. Peggy graduated as a member of the South High School class of 1973. Peggy completed her formal education at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with honors. Her family has a long history of Lane College alumni’s. Peggy pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Because of her lovely voice, she was referred to as the “Goddess of Song”. She was also selected as an “Alpha Angel” by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. She sang and traveled with the college choir, was a member of the marching band and participated in many other campus activities. Peggy enjoyed campus life. After college graduation, Peggy moved to Denver, Colorado, where her sister Wilma lived, and began her teaching career working for the Aurora Public Schools. Peggy also earned two master’s degrees; the first in Elementary Education, and another in School Administration. She was a results-oriented and super creative teacher. She used well-placed humor as a part of her teaching strategies. She made certain that all children enjoyed learning and could succeed in school. Each school year, parents requested that their child be placed in Peggy’s classroom. When visitors from school administration, or other school districts, came to observe classroom teachings, the principal selected Peggy's classroom, as a model for excellence in learning. It was not unusual for Peggy’s students to come back as adults to tell her how much she meant to them. After many years in the classroom, Peggy was asked to use her exceptional musical abilities to become the music teacher at Side Creek Elementary school. Peggy really enjoyed teaching music! She directed all school music performances, while still a classroom teacher. Out of all the music programs in the district, her choirs were selected each year to perform for the Annual Veteran’s Day Observance at the “Colorado Over the Rockies” celebration, at what was Lowery Airforce Base. Her choirs performed throughout the city. In 1993, Peggy married Ali Hassan. To this union one son, Morgan Ali, was born. Morgan was the “apple of her eye” making her proud at every turn but none more than when he earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Colorado State University, in Pueblo. Peggy and Morgan maintained a wonderful mother-son relationship. Inasmuch as music was an integral part of Peggy’s legacy, she and two childhood girlfriends, Rose Meadows and Phyllis Shamberger, formed a singing group in high school called The Shades of Soul. The group became very well known in the Akron area. In Denver, Peggy became an integral part of the gospel group “Gospel Renaissance” who sang throughout the USA for 15 yrs. Peggy was a member of True Light Baptist Church for 25 years, where she served as a team leader in the church AWANA Club for children. She sang in the adult choir and was an outstanding Children’s and Women’s Day music director. Peggy’s genuine, warm, caring and selfless disposition resulted in her making hundreds of friends over her lifetime. She also possessed a “quick wit” and could make you laugh spontaneously by finding humor in almost any situation. Peggy had the capacity to counsel, motivate, and mentor young women. She inspired and problem-solved with anyone facing a challenge. She had a way with crafts and could always add that “special touch” to any decorating project. Peggy had a unique bond with her mother, who was affectionally known as “Madea”. One of Peggy’s missions in life was to give Madea, everything she wanted. Preceding her in death were her parents, William Henry Arnold and Geneva Shaw Arnold. She leaves to cherish her life; her loving and devoted son, Morgan Ali Hassan; two sisters, Mildred Arnold, and Wilma Arnold; three brothers, Robert Arnold (Lizzie), Wayne Arnold (Sheila), and William Ray “Billy” Arnold; many cousins, nieces, nephews, good friends, a godson and extended families. We will all listen for her voice, singing, from a distance….