Margaret Frances Bonfield

Peggy was well known throughout the Birmingham community for her warm, fun-loving, and delightfully quirky personality. She was the daughter of Isadore and Dorothy Copeland Bonfield and carried forward her family's legacy of community involvement, kindness, and entrepreneurship.

A graduate of Shades Valley High School, Class of 1966, Peggy attended Indiana University, where she earned a degree in Psychology. Following graduation, she returned to Birmingham and joined her mother at Bonfield’s, the beloved Homewood retail store. Peggy further elevated the Bonfield name through memorable local television advertisements that made her a familiar face throughout the Birmingham area. In recognition of her business success and leadership, she was honored by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of its “Top 40 Under 40” recipients.

Peggy firmly believed that every person could make a positive difference in the world through love, compassion, and kindness. These values guided both her personal and professional life.

Following her mother’s retirement, Peggy and her husband, Orrin Ford, continued operating the family business, later renaming it Peggy B’s. After closing the store, Peggy returned to her academic roots, opening a hypnotherapy practice and helping others through her training in psychology.

Peggy also pursued her lifelong love of gardening. She and Orrin devoted countless hours as volunteers at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where they shared their enthusiasm for nature and community service. Peggy was an active member of several women’s organizations, a local book club, the Shades Valley High School Class of 1966 alumni group, and Temple Emanu-El. She collected and appreciated American handcrafts, especially when she knew the artist.

Peggy is survived by her sister, Leslie Bonfield Kanner of Potomac, Maryland; her niece, Dahlia Kanner, Kingston, Rhode Island; and many loving cousins and friends whose lives were enriched by her friendship android generosity of spirit.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, June7], 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Peggy’s life by sharing stories and cherished memories. Shiva will follow in the Temple Social Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple