Saratoga Springs, NY - Peggy Ann Mathiesen, 87, of Collins Terrace, passed away Tuesday, (Oct. 7, 2014) at her residence, surrounded by her family. Peggy is the daughter of the late Dr. Edward P. McCormack and Anna Cahill McCormack and was born and raised in Albany. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names and then went on the College of St. Rose, where she was chosen to be Rose Queen for the Class of 1949. Nineteen forty nine was also the year that she met her future husband, Christian Mathiesen, Jr., whom she married at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany on January 7, 1950. In the spring of 1954, Peggy moved from her beloved Albany to Saratoga Springs where her husband, Chris took over a sales territory for the Tobin Packing Co. They raised their five children in their home on upper Fifth Avenue, where Peggy and Chris quickly made many friends in the neighborhood and throughout the community. Peggy's earliest social activities centered around a "knitting club" that she was asked to join soon after arriving in Saratoga Springs. Peggy and Chris also joined the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club, where they continued membership for over 50 years. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge with her husband and her friends. While raising her five children and helping to raise her grandchildren, Peggy also volunteered her time for St. Clement School, the St. Clement's Horse Show and St. Peter's Academy. She was a long-time member of the Saratoga Hospital Flower and Fruit Mission and she was one of the founding members of Saratoga Vicariate Ladies of Charity. She was a former board member of the Hawley Foundation and spent many years providing rosary services to Wesley Nursing Home. She was a devout Roman Catholic who attended daily mass whenever possible. Peggy Ann will always be remembered as a bright, thoughtful and friendly lady. In addition to her parents, Peggy Ann is predeceased by her two sisters, with whom she was very close; Betty McArdle of Albany and Alice Cooke of Monticello. Survivors include her husband, Chris; her son, Dr. Christian E. Mathiesen and his wife Fran of Saratoga Springs, her four daughters, Pamela Pasciucco and her husband Dr. Peter Pasciucco of West Hartford, CT, Mary Ellen Mathiesen-Tyrrell and her husband Bernie Tyrrell of Natick, MA, Anne Macrae and her husband Mike Macrae of Coral Gables, FL, and Karen Tobin and her husband Craig Tobin of Lone Tree, CO; twelve grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; her sisters-in law, Marcia Codling of Loudonville and Dianne Bartlett of Denver, CO and many nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved. Peggy Ann's long battle with Alzheimer's Disease could not have been waged without the help of others, including Cara Baker, who aided Peggy and helped her maintain her dignity for the past three years. Community Hospice of Saratoga provided vital help during the final stages of her disease. Her daughter Mary Ellen Mathiesen-Tyrrell made many sacrifices so that she could help her parents through this difficult time. No one did more than Peggy's husband Chris who, despite being 91 and having his own medical challenges, insisted that his wife be cared for in their home. He spent most of the past four years taking care of his wife and has always been a devoted and loving husband. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Friday (Oct. 10, 2014) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway 584-5373. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30am Saturday (Oct. 11) in St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association NE New York Capital District Region, Pine West Plaza, Bldg. 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205 or to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.