On June 8th, I'm walking in memory of my mom, Peggy, who lost her life to ALS, an incurable neurodegenerative disease.

Last year, she bravely walked with us, just months before she passed, facing the challenge like the superstar she was, and showing support to other families afflicted.  Walk with me, and/or contribute to help end ALS.  

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In Memory Of Our Magnificent Peggy 

In August, we lost the most brave, bright, beautiful spirit to a devastating disease, ALS. 

Peggy was a sensational woman; mother, nan, daughter, sister, wife, friend. 

Diagnosed just 8 months earlier, Peggy had already been struggling with symptoms for some time, undergoing test after test and seeing doctor after doctor with no answers. ALS had already begun to steal her beautiful voice. Before long, it stole her ability to eat, drink, walk, and engage in her once active lifestyle. Her world was changed in an instant. Peggy had always been a health and fitness fanatic who loved life. But this ruthless illness held her hostage as it advanced, leaving her entirely speechless and stripped of her passions. It was heartbreaking to see, especially in someone so spirited, someone with the biggest heart in the world... who deserved the world. 

But although her life was torn apart at the seams, Peggy still met these challenges with formidable strength, resilience and grace.

Even the doctors were blown away.  
Literally. 
During one strength test at Sunnybrook, when first diagnosed, she nearly kicked the neurologist clear across the room.  
"That's the years of Zumba!" She quipped with a smile. 

We all laughed. Mom had always been full of energy and could easily out-dance any twenty-year old in class. 

 Life was light and full of laughter when you were around Peggy. Never a dull moment. She knew how to have fun. Find magic in the little things. Even on a dark day. And she taught us to do that.  

 She was a stellar mom to me and my two sisters, and a stellar nan to grandkids Leah and Kevin. That special kind of parent who is also a friend. She just knew how to make us feel loved and would go to the ends of the earth for any of us. 

 A generous soul, Peggy was an Aquarian, humanitarian to the core, and had a way with animals. Creatures of all sizes were drawn to her gentle nature, like the squirrel who waited patiently at the back door for its peanuts. She was a devoted cat mom and nan to the family pups and often spent time at the local shelter just to give pets some love. She gave of herself wholeheartedly volunteering for causes like All Paws, People Against Littering, Regeneration Outreach and Tall Pines long term care. 

When family needed her, Peggy was always there in a heartbeat. She was a loving wife to our dad, Gino and cared for him at home before he passed of lymphoma in 2015. And always showed up to help care for mom Cody, who passed in May 2023.    

Life wasn't easy. But she celebrated the good, and she rolled with the punches. 

We were lucky to grow up with a mom who was an empath. She was an incredible listener.  If we were sad or scared, we could hop up beside her and tell her anything.  When we got older and moved out, we had marathon phone chats. She was so present.

My friends loved her too. "She was like a second mom to me," said my best friend Mary.

She made people feel special; seen, heard and understood. Everyone wanted to be around her. 

She was the best.

But ALS is a cruel disease that doesn't discriminate.  

There is no cure. 

It erodes hope as it ravages the body. 

 It dashes dreams. 

There’s no sugar coating it. 

 We are grateful Peggy is free, like the birds and butterflies she loved. 

That she passed peacefully with us there at her side. 

We try to hang on to small miracles. 

But my heart sinks to think of the pain she endured, because I love her as fiercely as she loved us. And we want to protect the ones we love -- the mom who moved heaven and earth for us. 

I envision Mom's innate positivity and how it lit up a room. Even when others would have crumbled, or shut down in anger. I envision her courage. How it inspired everyone.

I think of the way she lived her life; full of love, passion, but always a rock. Raising us amidst sunshine, storms; weathering all life’s seasons.

With the heart of a warrior. 

In the toughest moments, her fierce love for family never faltered.
She still smiled that infamous smile. 

Always that sensational woman, mother, nan, daughter, sister, wife, friend. But also... so much more.

Artist, dancer, writer, baker, lover, fighter, activist, advocate... she had so many layers. 

The world will miss everything she was. Everything she gave. And everything we never even got to see. 

We miss her, so much. 

But we’ll forever be inspired by her legacy. 

*******

Peggy Bishop Cicconetti 1954-2024 

 Peggy is missed dearly by daughters Camilla, Christina and Chantal,  grandkids Leah and Kevin, sister Patti Bishop and her Dad, Robert Bishop.