Peggy Jones Obituary

Peggy Joyce Bellinger Jones

This extraordinary and accomplished woman was born January 11, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas and died September 21, 2025. Her husband of 54 years, Glen; and her daughter, Caryn Elizabeth predeceased her.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Gayle and son-in-law, Brendan Ames; grandson, Justin Michael Cannon and wife, Anne; great-grandson, Alex Dale Cannon and fiance, Adriana Olmos; and great-grandson, Sean William Cannon. Peggy also leaves behind her extended family and scores of friends including her companion and caretaker, Socorro Alvarado.

Peggy and Glen made their home in Seattle, Washington before moving to Albuquerque in 1974. Once settled in Albuquerque, they acquired a second home near Torreon, New Mexico. The "cabin" provided a secluded retreat that Glen and Peggy cherished. Their family created lasting memories and traditions while spending time there, and some of their neighbors and members of that community became their life-long friends. In Peggy's later years, her good friend and traveling companion, Libby Greene helped her continue to spend time in that special place, a gift for which Peggy was so very grateful.

Peggy's gift for oil painting filled her and those around her with joy. She was active in the New Mexico Art League and her work has been featured in numerous exhibits, private collections, and galleries in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. When she didn't have a paint brush in her hand, she was busy cooking, working in her garden, playing bridge, and entertaining. She loved parties and had the ability to put together a sit-down dinner or cocktail party on a moment's notice. She was a gracious and welcoming host, loved to socialize, and used her outgoing personality and wry sense of humor to make every event fun and comfortable for all. When life brought adversity and challenges, Peggy faced them with grace and dignity. She was always generous, kind, and thoughtful. She surrounded herself with things of beauty and always insisted on being no less than six feet from a flower.

Peggy graduated from the University of New Mexico, and pursued a long and successful career as a paralegal. She was the organizer and charter President of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of New Mexico and was instrumental in establishing the American Bar Association Certified Paralegal Studies Program at CNM.

We would like to express extreme gratitude to her doula, Danielle Slupesky, who helped Peggy navigate the last eighteen months of her life with compassion, understanding and insightfulness. She was there until the very end and brought great comfort to Peggy in her final moments before transitioning.

And a special thank you to her caregivers, Rita, Bea, JoAnne, and Jensen.

For those who would like to honor Peggy, she requested that contributions be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In true Peggy fashion, she had begun planning her "bon voyage" party when her untimely death intervened. A celebration of Peggy's well-lived life will be held at a later date.