Peggy Jo Smith

PEGGY JO SMITH

A celebration of life for Cortez resident, Peggy Jo Smith will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Services will be in the chapel at Ertel Funeral Home 42 N. Market Street Cortez, Colo. with Peggy’s dear friend, Anthony Maes officiating.

Peggy was born March 31, 1933 in Monte Vista, Colo. the daughter of Theodore Harold Barton and Katherine Esther (Specker) Barton. She took God’s hand to return to her Heavenly home, and to be reunited with her loving husband on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Madison House in Cortez, Colo. at the age of 89.

Peggy grew up, first in Hooper, Colo. and later moving to Center, Colo. with her grandparents, Henry Specker and Caroline Specker, living on a farm, riding horses, canning and all that goes with country life. Working at the local theatre in Center, Colo. gave her the opportunity to meet a handsome young man, Ronald G. Smith, who would become her husband and the love of her life. Ron and Peggy were united in marriage on December 29, 1950 in Taos, N.M… always laughing and joking, that at least they thought they were married, as the whole ceremony was in Spanish! They made their home in Alamosa, Colo. where they raised four children. Deciding it was time for a change, they moved to Durango, Colo. in 1975. After Ron retired they spent the winters in Bullhead City, Ariz. up until 1991, when they decided to move there full time. They enjoyed life there, living right on the golf course and loved the wonderful retirement community, but missing family they headed back to Colorado in 1998, making Cortez their final home. Peggy taught herself to sew as a young girl on an old time treadle sewing machine, becoming a professional seamstress as an adult, enabling her to be at home raising her own children. She also taught herself to knit, crochet, and numerous other crafty talents. In later years, she and her husband found a new hobby they could enjoy doing together and began making homemade cards for every occasion. After her beloved husband of 62 years passed, Peggy moved to Madison House Assisted Living in Cortez, Colo., making a new home for herself. Here she made many a new friend, as well as finding a new past time, falling in love with the adult coloring books, of which she could never have too many. She would explain that she was a “colorist” as she shared her beautiful finished pieces with friends and family. There were few things that Peggy didn’t excel at, and throughout her life, worked as a receptionist, secretary, and managed a mobile home park. Her first grandchild was born in 1973, followed by 12 more grandchildren over the years, doting on each one, and spending as much time as possible with them and their families. She also has 19 great-grandchildren.

Surviving Peggy are her children, Ronald J. Smith of Cortez, Colo., Ted Smith of Dolores, Colo., Kathy VanVleet (Paul) of Dolores, Colo., and Harold Smith (Robin) of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; and her brother, Donnie Barton (Chardell) of Monte Vista, Colo.; as well as her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald G. Smith; her siblings, Clara Schmidt, Harold “Buddy” Barton, Margaret Brown, Patty Wells, and Clara Kintz; as well as her great-grandson, Sebastian Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made in Peggy’s name to Hospice of Montezuma P.O. Box 740 Cortez, Colo. 81321