WESTERLO — Passionate about her family and the community where she made her home, Peggy L. Bishop died on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. She was 86.

“You couldn’t find a better person,” said her son, Ross Bishop.

Mrs. Bishop was born in Albany on June 24, 1930, to the late Roy and Doris Bird Ross. She lived in Albany until she was 5 years old, after which her family moved to Westerlo. She stayed in the town for the rest of her life.

Her son said that, during her short time in Albany, Mrs. Bishop enjoyed living nearby Washington Park. Later in her life, Mr. Bishop said he would take his mother to the see the holiday lights display in the winter, and she would reminisce about her childhood.

Mrs. Bishop was a student in Greenville Central School District. When she was 17 and a junior in high school, she left and married Thurman Bishop.

Mrs. Bishop met her future husband through the mail. He was her neighbor in Westerlo and was away fighting in World War II. Her mother told her to write to her neighbor, and their correspondence and eventual romance began. They married in 1947, after he returned home, and started their family right away.

Mrs. Bishop’s husband worked in construction, and was often away from home. At home with four boys who were each about a year-and-a-half apart, her son said she never complained. But, he said, “She kept us straight, and I think that’s why we turned out like we did.”

Mrs. Bishop was known for her community involvement. She once received a trophy for best spectator at the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, where her children played sports. The family also owned a store, called Peggy’s Superette.

Despite her community involvement, Mrs. Bishop felt the need to do even more for herself. She went to beautician school, and graduated in the mid-1960’s, said her son. She then opened up her own beauty shop in her home, and ran it for about five or six years. Well-known in town, she took in many customers.

Her husband was also involved in the town library and historical society.

“They were both interested in stuff like that,” said Mr. Bishop.

Mrs. Bishop looked out for others in the community; up until two weeks ago, she visited her 95-year-old neighbor.

“She was a very caring person,” noted her son.

She also had several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandchild that she enjoyed being with.

“You couldn’t ask for a better grandmother, great-grandmother,” said Mr. Bishop. “She always had a smile on her face.” He added that she was caring to her entire family.

Her only hobby, outside of community involvement, said her son, was mowing her lawn.

“I don’t think she’d let her grass grow more than two inches high,” he quipped.

Before her husband died, he and Mrs. Bishop would travel to places like Amish Country or Vermont, rather than take longer, more lavish trips.

“They were content to do simple things,” said her son.

After her husband died, Mrs. Bishop preferred staying in Westerlo.

“She was just content being home,” said her son.

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Mrs. Bishop is survived by her children, William Bishop and his wife, Kathy Bishop; Ross Bishop and his wife, Lili Starna Bishop; and Bruce Bishop; her grandchildren, Michelle Dibble and her husband, Scott Dibble; Charity Petti and her husband, Carmine Petti; Wendy Schwenk; and Jesse, Dylan, and Tuesday Bishop; her six great-grandchildren, her one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, Roy Ross and Doris Bird Ross, died before her, as did her husband, Thurman Bishop; her son, Robert Bishop; her grandson, Terry Bishop; and her brothers, Roy and Harold Ross.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home on 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. Arrangements are by A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home of Greenville. Condolences may be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208; or to the Westerlo Public Library, Post Office Box 267, Westerlo, NY 12193.

— H. Rose Schneider