Margaret Bannon Margaret Bannon 55 of Port Washington died Monday after a courageous battle with breast cancer. While Bannon is most well known as the first female police officer in southeastern Wisconsin her large family and many friends knew Peg as a fun loving kind extraverted person. Bannon enjoyed traveling gardening cross stitching farmers markets and good food and wine. Peg was often in the company of her many close friends all of whom she referred to as girlfriend to the amusement of her husband Al Esselmann. She would light up a room said Barbara Eder Peg's sister. Peg was so much fun. She was up for anything. Bannon made friends and started conversations just about wherever she went whether it was in Port walking on the beach near her condo in Florida while traveling in Greece or aboard a cross town bus touring New York. Bannon's sense of humor added to her approachability. Peggy always used to tell people I was the older sister said sister Monica Murdo who is actually 10 years younger then Peg who was the eldest of eight children. You could find Bannon at The Pasta Shoppe many weekends dining with a large lively group of locals and socializing with Maria Kiesow longtime friend and owner of the Port restaurant with husband Jim. People wanted to be with her wanted to be near her Kiesow said. You never had to work at a friendship with her. She was the easiest person to get along with. As a Port police officer for 27 years Bannon was known for effective conflict management and interviewing. She specialized in sexual assault cases. Bannon battled the disease several years while maintaining a positive upbeat attitude. When she lost her hair Bannon grew an impressive collection of hats and was known to indulge in bracelets and pedicures. She spoke candidly about the progression of the disease and took comfort from the support she received. Whenever she was sick she would try to be strong for us instead of worrying about herself Kiesow said. She would always say I'm sorry I have to put you through this when she was the one suffering. Loving wife of Al Esselmann. Beloved mother of Neeley and Molly (fianc Jeremy Anderson) Hornslein and step-mother of Robin (Andy) Meyer and Greg and Brad Esselmann. Grandmother of Emma and Ellie Meyer and Matthew Esselmann. Survived by sisters Barbara (Andrew) Eder and Monica Murdo and brothers Paul Mark (Lynne) Barney (Liz) Tom (Sheri) and Matthew (Theresa). Further survived by many nieces and nephews other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by parents Mark and Patricia Bannon. Memorial Mass Thursday May 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church Port Washington. Visitation at the Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Inurnment at St. Mary's Mausoleum Port Washington. Memorials appreciated in lieu of flowers to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 60 East 56th Street 8th Floor New York NY 10022. br /Service:br /7:00 PM at 1800 N. Wisconsin St. on May 11 2006 (a target=_blank href=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Port Washingtonstate=WIaddress=zip=53074zoom=8map/driving directions/a) br/br/