Peggy Biefeld 1952-2024

Peggy was born in 1952 to Jack and Kay Happe (pronounced “Happy”) in Long Island, New York.  She was the second child of seven children.  Being the oldest girl, she was tasked with caretaking her siblings.  Peggy grew to value her siblings and cared for them deeply throughout their lives together. The Happe children seem forever wrapped in a cocoon of shared joy, laughter, grief, and loyalty.  It’s the kind of limitless love that everyone around them can feel and appreciate.

Peggy is survived by her two sisters, Janice Spaulding and Kathleen Bambery, as well as her three children, Brian Biefeld, Jacqui Gibson-Clark, and Katie Condon; her grandchildren, Logan Biefeld, Aliana Biefeld, Cecilia Clark, and Lucas Condon.  She is also survived by her dog Gracie, who is her spiritual familiar  (If you know, you know),

As Peggy exits the material world, she leaves behind dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, neighbors, friends, and chosen family that were equally important to her as her kin. She also leaves behind a great deal of pain from the cancer that has plagued her over the last year.  All who love her celebrate her freedom from that pain.  Her entire community shares a vision of Peggy being welcomed into the afterlife by her parents and four brothers.

Peggy was a hard worker, but her life would be poorly described in terms of career.  The real work that defined Peggy’s life was how she helped people.  Peggy would help anyone. She helped loved ones, friends of loved ones, neighbors, and strangers.  Her talent for helping an enormous show of radical love and selflessness.

Peggy was undoubtedly full of inner beauty, but her outer beauty was also remarkable.  Peggy was not prone to excessive snazziness, but she didn’t leave the house without eye makeup, lipstick, and Azzure. A sign in her guest room says, “Put a little lipstick on; it will be fine”. This phrase became a family mantra. Beyond Peggy’s notable prettiness, she had an irresistible smile that brought comfort and happiness to everyone she knew.

Peggy enjoyed things that felt good, like rainy days with a good movie, puppy dogs, throw blankets, and freshly laundered clothes washed with Tide and Downy when it was nice and warm.  She loved the beach, sunsets, road trips, orange slice candy, good music, Christmas lights, good deals,  and her family.

She will be missed, but the warmth of her light will be felt for years to come.