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Margaret "Peggy" Anderson, a former Laurel city councilwoman who spent the last 40 years as a city volunteer and public servant, died Tuesday at her Laurel home, city officials said. She was 86.

Anderson was a three-term member of the City Council from 1970 to 1976, and spent the last 20 years as a member of Laurel's Planning Commission, which oversees development and zoning in the city. She also served on several other city boards, including the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and Historic District Commission.

"She was pretty much the backbone of Laurel," said city spokesman Jim Collins, who said he knew Anderson for at least 40 years. "She was probably the nicest person you'd ever want to meet — a person who was pretty much dedicated to the city."

Anderson also owned several rental properties in the city and served as treasurer for several political candidates, including current Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe. Her dedication to the city was celebrated in December 2007, when the Laurel Municipal Center's Peggy Anderson Meeting Room was named in her honor.

"She was very influential," said former mayor Joseph Robison, who served from 1990 to 1992. "She and the city were kind of one and together. She was always on something whether it was a committee or the City Council."

City Councilman Frederick Smalls (Ward 2), who served on the planning commission with Anderson, said officials often relied on her wealth of knowledge regarding the city to help inform their decisions. Outside of planning meetings, he said Anderson was a kind person who often welcomed friends and colleagues into her home to discuss whatever was on their minds.

"I have personally sat in her kitchen on many occasions," Smalls said. "She was someone who was very comforting to sit and talk to."

Moe announced Tuesday that city flags will be flown at half-mast to honor Anderson until the day after her funeral. She was preceded in death by husband J.B. Anderson Jr. and brothers C. Philip Nichols and Roland L. Nichols Jr.

Anderson is survived by son Michael Anderson and his wife, Pamela; daughters Candy DiPietro and husband, Robert, and Renee Spicer and husband, John; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Anderson's family will host a viewing from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at her home, at 710 Montgomery St. in Laurel. Her funeral will be held at noon Saturday at St. Mary of the Mills Church, located at 114 St. Mary's Place in Laurel.

dhill@gazette.net