CANTON — Margaret "Peg" Houston Meng, 97, Canton, died Wednesday at Whiteford Adult Home, Russell, after a short illness. She was under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.

Mrs. Meng taught second grade from 1930 to 1938 at Sackets Harbor Central School District and from 1953 until retiring in 1968, she was a third grade teacher for the Canton School District.

Born Aug. 28, 1910, in Florida, N.Y., she was a daughter of Edgar and Clara Houston. In 1912, the family moved to Bellvale, where she attended a two-room country school. Mrs. Meng graduated in 1927 from Warwick High School and in 1930 from New Paltz Normal School, where she won the shot put.

She married A. Michael Meng on Aug. 19, 1933, in Bellvale Methodist Church. The couple moved to Canton in 1938.

Mrs. Meng enjoyed reading, bridge, playing the piano and gardening. She dove at Sand Banks, and rode her bike until she was 80. Mrs. Meng was noted for standing on her head for her school classes and her 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

She was a member of the retired teachers association, AARP and the Methodist Church, Canton, where she sang in the choir for many years.

Surviving are two daughters, Gretchen Meng, Las Vegas, Nev., and Connie Meng, Canton; a brother, John Houston, Bellvale; and several nieces and nephews.

Three brothers, Oliver, James and Robert Houston, and a sister, Catherine Biafora, died before her.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Band officiating. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at O'Leary Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 Route 11, Potsdam, N.Y. 13676. Condolences may made online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.