The month of July brings Peggy Vera Jastremski to the spotlight. Peggy is 87 years old. She was born to Edythe and James Dean on a ranch in the Capitan mountains in New Mexico on January 29, 1934. Her siblings included five brothers and three sisters: Billy and Bobby (who were twins), Buddy, Jimmy, Paul Edward, Bernice, Nora, and Caroline.
In 1937, Peggy’s father lost the ranch due to the depression. When she was three years old, she and her family moved to San Diego, California. Her father became an immigration officer. She graduated from San Diego High School in 1952. She played Tennis and Basketball while in school. They would travel to different schools to play opponents.
After graduation she married her husband Leonard Jastremski on March 15, 1951 in Albuquerque, NM. Her cousin James Dean who was a district attorney, married them. They were also married on February 1, 1952 in Len’s Catholic Church in Wilkes Barre, PA. Leonard and Peggy met at their friend’s wedding. Leonard’s best friend Joseph married Peggy’s best friend Mattie. Leonard was in the Air Force. He went to Korea, and came back in 1953, where he was stationed at Ent Air Force base in Colorado Springs. They departed from Colorado Springs in 1956 to Hawaii.
Their son Leonard Benjamin “Smokey” Jr. was born on August 18, 1952, and their daughter Geraldine “Gerry,” was born on July 28, 1954. Smokey was born on Peggy’s grandparent’s ranch, and Gerry was born in Camp Carson. Peggy has 3 grandchildren: Nikki, Jeremy, and Heather. She has 8 great-grandchildren; 5 boys and 3 girls. Smokey passed away in a trucking accident at the age of 30.
With her mother and grandmother being professional tailors, Peggy became quite the Seamstress by hand, herself. She made suits for her husband, and made all clothes for herself and children.
In 1958 Peggy trained at the Army post in Hawaii to become a dental assistant. She received her degree from Schoffield Barracks. When they moved, she worked as a waitress until she landed herself a dental job. She worked as an assistant mostly on Army post, and Air Force Bases. Peggy also enjoyed golfing and sewing.
After living in Hawaii for 4 years, they lived in North Dakota for 2 years, Guam for 4 years, New York for 2 years from 1966 to 1968, then back to Hawaii. He retired in 1973. They moved to Pueblo, Colorado in 1976.
A memorable time for Peggy was in 1958 when they were living in Hawaii, 2 blocks away from the Ocean, and a Tidal wave hit. Her son was out gathering fish. She ran out to get him inside before the wave hit. The wave came back into the shore after it reeded about half mile out into the ocean. Also in 1962, when they were living in Guam, they experienced a Typhoon that lasted 9 hours, taking the aluminum louvers from the windows and doors of the house with it, and embedding leaves into the walls.
Peggy is a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral Church. She volunteered many years there, being a receptionist, and training E.M. ministers. She and Leonard also taught marriage prep classes. She also volunteered at Rosemount Museum doing tours, and then working in the gift shop. Peggy was the Executive Director for Cooperative Care in Pueblo. She retired January 1, 2000. She and her husband also owned North Side liquors from 1981 to 1985.
When they settled in Pueblo Colorado. They lived at the Raintree apartments on Jerry Murphy for 3 months. They purchased a house on Massari Rd. and this became their home for the next 43 years. Leonard became very ill. They moved to Primrose Senior Living. They were there for one month when he passed away on September 4, 2019. She had a few long-term friends that lived here. She inquired and moved to Villa Pueblo on November 27, 2019. We are very proud to have Peggy as a member of our Villa Pueblo family.
