Margaret Peggy"" Burianek

Peggy was born May 13, 1937 in Albuquerque, NM to Joseph and Nora Downs, and was the third of 4 children. She received her degree as a dental hygienist from the University of Kansas City in Missouri and returned to Albuquerque to work in pediatric dentistry. She met the love of her life, Marvin, through a St. Charles Borromeo Church group and married in 1960. Peggy and Marvin had 5 children and were married for 44 years before Marvin’s death in 2005.

Her life was filled with everything to do with family – carpool mom, science fair projects, Girl Scout leader, track and gymnastic meets, and baking cookies. She loved sewing, gardening, golf and travelling with her husband. Peggy was blessed to have very close friends that she considered her sisters and was a loving mother to all her children’s friends who were her ‘adopted’ sons and daughters. She was the kind of mom that many sought out for her compassionate, no-nonsense advice. Peggy had a wry sense of humor that kept everyone in endless laughter, right up to the end.

After living her whole life in Albuquerque, Peggy moved to Loveland, CO in 2011 to be closer to her daughters due to health concerns. Although she loved being close to family, she always thought of Albuquerque as home.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, her parents, and her brother John Downs. She is survived by her 5 children Karen Peterson (Jim) of Lexington Park; Diane Foley (Kevin) of Loveland, Linda Kennedy (Ron) of Fort Collins, Mike Burianek (Kathleen) of Albuquerque, Janice Scott (Randy), and 10 grandchildren that were the joy of her life: Michelle, Brian, Samantha, Kyle, Brooke, Ryan, Sarah, Alexis, Laura, Adam; and her brothers Joe Downs (Mary) of Las Vegas and George Downs (Nanci) of Philadelphia.

A mass will be held on March 11, 2014 at St. Johns the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland. A celebration of life is planned for April 13, 2014 in Albuquerque, NM. Interment will be April 14, 2014 at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Albuquerque Friends for the Public Library (www.friendsforthelibrary.org)‎ or Pathways Hospice (www.pathways-care.org).