Obituary of Peggy Joyce Jackson

In Loving Memory of Peggy J. Davison Larzelier Jackson

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished matriarch, Peggy J. Davison Larzelier Jackson (G.G.), completed her earthly journey on January 24, 2024, entering into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Peggy was born on August 29, 1929, in Fairview, Oklahoma, to Irwin Samuel Davison and Blanche Greek Davison – making her a Depression Era baby and proud member of the greatest generation. Four years later her baby brother, Edward “Eddie,” whom she loved and adored, joined the family. Peggy's early years were spent growing up in Downey, California. At the age of sixteen, she rode the bus to Olive & 3 rd in downtown L.A. every day after school, where she worked for the telephone company as a switchboard operator. This was the beginning of a lifetime career working in the telecommunications industry. After graduating from high school, she met the love of her life, Bill Larzelier. She and Bill married on March 28, 1948. Their union was blessed with the birth of sons Steven Rodney on February 14, 1949 and Douglas Durand on September 8, 1950.

In 1953, the Larzelier family's journey took them to Ridgeview, Oregon, and later Homedale, Idaho, where Peggy and Bill worked side by side laying hardwood floors in homes and businesses, including the gymnasiums of Homedale and Adrian high schools. In 1956, Peggy joined the team at Owyhee Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. Hester Tuttle was her supervisor, and Hester and her husband, Gail, became the Larzeliers’ dearest friends. The other ladies in the office became her lifelong friends, as well.

It was a joyous day in August of 1962 when older sister, Patricia Larzelier, Bill’s daughter from a previous marriage, came to live with the family. In October 1963, Bill was diagnosed with brain cancer; three months later, on January 9, 1964, Peggy found herself widowed at 34 with three children to support. She and her children returned to California for a time to care for her mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. After her mother’s passing, they returned to Idaho. Reflecting on those years, she would say, “Sometimes in life you have to pull a blind just so you can go on.” We can only begin to imagine what life must have been like for her at that time. Peggy always credited God for carrying her through those dark days. Thankfully, one day the dark cloud lifted, and she was blessed to meet and marry J.C. Jackson who would truly become the second love of her life.

J.C. was a strong, loving father to her children, and together they reared a houseful of teenage sons – Steve, Jim, Doug, & Jerry. The eldest son, Jay Ray (J.R.) Jackson and daughter, Patricia Larzelier were young adults at that point, embarking on their own life journeys. What began as a covenant made out of practicality and necessity for both Peggy and J.C. grew into a marriage filled with love and affection that would sustain them for almost 35 years until J.C.'s passing on January 2, 1999.

In addition to raising children, Peggy engaged in church activities, contributed to the PTA Smorgasbord, was a den mother for the cub scouts, participated in the Owyhee Lanes bowling league for the Owyhee Telephone Company team, and was actively involved in various other organizations and pursuits – all the things a mom of the 1950s & 60s did. Although life was full of sports and high school activities, and she was busy running a tight ship at home, dinner for her family was top priority and always on the table at 6:30 p.m. Attendance was not optional! In addition to their already full house, J.C. and Peggy opened their home to many special foster children through the years. Yolanda Gonzalez came to live with them in 1977, becoming a daughter they loved and adored.

An innovator, visionary, and sharp businesswoman, Peggy enjoyed visiting construction sites and cherished her role in the family utility construction business. She was a meticulous bookkeeper, and she would not rest until books were balanced and every penny was found. She especially loved heavy equipment - particularly anything yellow. Peggy's pursuit of adventure and courageous spirit led her to start training for her pilot's license in the late 70’s. She went so far as to complete her first solo flight and ceremoniously have her shirt tail cut off. She was truly a pioneer! After achieving what she’d set out to do, fly a plane on her own, she reevaluated her many priorities and responsibilities at home, and decided to leave the family piloting duties to Steve & J.R.

The Jackson home on Garnet Road was “the place” for family gatherings. The Larzelier and Jackson grandchildren knew her door and fridge were always open. So many memories were made at Grandpa’s and Grandma’s house – the toy drawer filled to the brim, 4th of July parties, adventures on snowmobiles, riding 50s motorcycles, swimming in the pool, hide and seek in the barn, treasure hunting in the shop, and dressing up in her costume-filled cedar closet, to list a few.

Peggy was an incredible cook and hostess. “A place for everything and everything in its place” was a mantra she lived by. She could throw a dinner party second to none, somehow always managing to get everything done and served on a beautifully set table, hot and on time. A daring chef, she loved trying new exciting and ethnic recipes she’d clipped from magazines and newspapers, and her creations were always delicious. She also loved flowers and gardening and had quite the green thumb. Her vision of what was possible never waned regardless of the climate and recommended planting zone. If it grew in southern California, surely she could grow it in the southwest Idaho desert. And oftentimes, she could! Her plans for her yard and garden were ever expanding - much to Doug’s chagrin - meaning the water lines were also continually changing and extending. She would tell him, it’s nothing “we” (meaning he) couldn’t easily handle. She particularly loved growing, wearing, and decorating with all things purple. Her love of gardening and cooking was something she passed down to her grandchildren, and there were many times shared with them in her kitchen testing out a new recipe or walking in the yard admiring her latest blooms.

Peggy's fearless and adventurous nature continued throughout her life. She and J.C., and son J.R. and wife Marilyn, went on numerous trips, visiting many exotic places. Times spent with brother Eddie and sister-in-law Margie at their cabin in Cascade were among her favorite memories. Peggy loved to go and adored spending time with and supporting her family - snorkeling with Dolores Asumendi in Guam (no small feat considering Dee’s fear of water), nannying in Armenia for her granddaughter’s family, a trip or two to Disneyland in her 70s, babysitting, going on hiking trips, fishing, boating, and riding an elephant at Six Flags in her 80s, and cheering on her grands and greats at concerts, competitions, and ballgames into her 90s. As long as she was able, if there was a car going, she was in! She was also a coffee snob and passed that gene onto her family. There was never a time of day or night that wasn’t appropriate to grind some beans and share a strong cup. If pie was available (with a homemade, flaky crust, of course), all the better!

Ever the life-long learner, she embraced technology, continually asking Alexa “Echo” any number of questions and connecting with her family through social media. She was especially fond of having her picture taken with her family using Snapchat filters. Peggy also loved animals of all kinds. She was insistent on spoiling her Pomeranians, Teno and Keno, and her 38-pound cat, Dennis. Chewy.com will especially miss her patronage.

Peggy was a pillar of strength, fierce loyalty, and love. With joyful, yet heavy hearts, we celebrate a life well-lived, a legacy of faith, and the enduring impact of a woman who never gave up on those she loved. Her tenacity and perseverance were truly admirable. She had the knack of seeing every challenge as potential for opportunity. Until we see her again, may her memory continue to inspire, and her spirit live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Bill Larzelier and J.C. Jackson, son, Steve Larzelier, nephew, Guy Davison, and brother, Eddie Davison,.

Peggy is survived by her son, Doug (Mary Jo) Larzelier, daughters, Patricia Larzelier & Yolanda Lloyd, stepsons, Jim (Becky) Jackson, Jerry (Pam) Jackson, sister-in-law, Margie Davison, and daughters-in-law, Kathy Larzelier & Marilyn Jackson, as well as her precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Nora Oviedo and Emilio Chavez for their loyal service and help the last few years, enabling us to keep G.G. in her home until the very end. Also, thank you to St. Luke’s Hospice for their support and Amber Woodhall for her compassionate care in G.G.’s final days.

Services by Flahiff Funeral Home will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Wilder Cemetery followed by a dinner at Txoko Ona in Homedale. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Love, Inc. Treasure Valley or Txoko Ona Basque Center, P.O. Box 1163, Homedale, ID, 83628