Margaret Bishop

Margaret “Peggy” Guerin Bishop of Southampton died on December 14 at her home, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. She was 70.

Born on March 15, 1938, she graduated from Oyster Bay High School and later Elmira College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught second grade in the Bayville School District.

According to her sister Susan Guerin Dundon, one of Mrs. Bishop’s fondest memories was of having the children paint wedding pictures of her and Alan Paul Bishop, to whom she had become engaged. Some were promising portraits of a happy couple and an overly large cake.

During the early years of their marriage, the Bishops lived in Glen Cove, where their two children were born. Acting on their desire for a more relaxed lifestyle, the couple moved to Southampton, where they built a house on Wooleys Drive. During the summer, they could often be seen entertaining friends and family on their boat, a Grady White with the name of “Prime Time.” They were year-round residents of Southampton Shores for more than 35 years.

A voracious reader, Mrs. Bishop was a frequent visitor to the library.
She was also a volunteer at Southampton Hospital and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. Gardening—which she believed to be therapeutic, the family said—was her great passion. She was a member of the Olde Towne Garden Club, serving as its president in 2000 and 2001. She also worked diligently helping to keep up the gardens at the historic Halsey House, where the garden club plans to plant a shrub in her honor.

Mrs. Dundon attests that she was a warm, fun-loving and energetic person, who will be sorely missed by all of her friends and family.

She is survived by a son, Todd Bishop of Riverhead; a daughter, Amy Bishop O’Regan of Glen Cove; a sister, Susan Guerin Dundon of Philadelphia; and two grandsons, Evan and Owen, to whom she was completely devoted, family said. She was predeceased by her husband, Alan Paul Bishop.

A memorial service will be held on January 9 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton, with the Reverend Bill Evans officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 would be appreciated by the family.