By: Holly Myers
On Monday, January 18, 2021, Hope for Her hosted the very successful Hope for Her Golf Tournament at the River Hills Country Club. For the past two years, the Hope for Her Golf Tournament has been dedicated to and held in memory of our Hope for Her volunteer and precious friend, Peggy Jones. With 92 participants, 25 sponsorships, and over 50 donations from local businesses, the tournament raised over $27,700 for Hope for Her! Peggy would be thrilled. She was a wonderful Hope for Her volunteer, as well as an avid golfer, making the dedication of this Golf Tournament in her memory most fitting. It’s still hard to believe Peggy is no longer with us on this Earth; always so positive, full of love, life, and fun.
When Peggy stopped by my house to tell me of her diagnosis, Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer, I couldn’t believe it and still struggle to understand it today. It was May 17, 2019. From the moment of her diagnosis, Peggy was a fighter, very organized and determined as she sought answers and a path to her treatment and cure. She immediately saw oncology specialists.
A mere 6 days after Peggy shared her diagnosis with me, I joined Peggy and her wonderful family at Moffitt Cancer Center – praying, searching, hoping for answers. While seeking answers and treatment, Peggy didn’t give up and certainly didn’t stop living. Our annual River Hills Women’s Golf Association end-of-year-tourney and celebration was scheduled for May 28, 2019, a short 11 days after the appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center. Did Peggy play in the tournament she had always enjoyed and looked forward to each year? Yes, she did. Did Peggy win the tournament? Yes, she did! On June 27, only a month after winning the tournament, Peggy entered Hospice Care. It was July 8, 2019, less than 8 weeks from her diagnosis, when Peggy was in the presence of our Lord and Savior. We will never forget Peggy’s smiling face and can still feel her positive energy at Hope for Her. She loved volunteering. It is both an honor and befitting for us to dedicate the Hope for Her Golf Tournament to our friend, Peggy Jones. She is forever in our hearts.