Margaret A. “Peggy” Beckman

Margaret A. “Peggy” Beckman

Margaret A. “Peggy” Beckman, 95, of Westfield, New York, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at her long-time winter home of Mission, Texas. She was born in New York City on March 1, 1927, the second child of Margery (Mills) and James Arthur Jones. As a sixth grader, she decided to become a gym teacher, so after graduating from Chateaugay High School, in Chateaugay, NY, she worked her way through Cortland State Teachers College where she earned her degree in Physical Education and Health Education, graduating in 1948. She landed a job as a physical education teacher in Westfield, New York. It was there she met Seymour “Sym” Beckman, who was home after serving his country in World War II and was working in the family construction business. They married on August 28, 1953, and together raised four sons as they moved around the country for Sym’s work. In 1972, they returned to Westfield where Peggy fully immersed herself in work and volunteering in the community. She taught at Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, New York and later in Westfield in a variety of roles, including supervising students sent to in-school suspension. Her discipline was legendary and a strong deterrent against repeat offenses. She chaired the Village of Westfield Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of the YWCA, was an officer of the Union Relief Association, and a member of Westfield Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. She volunteered extensively, including at McClurg Museum and at the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department’s Ox Roast up until last year. In Mission, she actively supported the women’s shelter, Women Together (Mujeres Unidas) and volunteered at many of the activities held in her park. She had a strong faith and was very active in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Westfield and St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church in Mission.