Margaret Downey Ball

Our mom, Peggy, passed away peacefully Friday, February 6, 2026. She was just a month away from celebrating her 99th birthday. Her family had been with her just hours before. She was well loved and well cared for, a beautiful person inside and out.
Peggy was born March 24,1927 in Elizabeth, NJ. She lived in Westport, CT., then eventually moved to South Merritt Island, FL. in 1975.
Peggy was extraordinary. She was an artist, a writer, a recreational swimmer and runner. She loved canoeing, camping and sailing. She loved nature and she loved people. She was generous and giving, not just to her family and friends but to the larger community. For decades now, our local endurance athletes have had her Merritt Island property as a swim training venue. She did charitable work at West Melbourne Health Care Center, and tutored children in reading for many years. She also volunteered with the Indian River Lagoon restoration project.
Our mom was loved by and married two amazing men. Married to our father, Tom Downey, for 53 years who passed away in 2000 and Keith Ball has been her husband for 20 years. With both men, our mom shared more adventures than one can count. Our father often told us that when he found our mom, he'd struck gold. He was right.
Always happy, smiling, positive in all things. There were two pet dogs in her life. Their naming was telling, joyous names. She had ‘Chuckles’ when her four children were young and then in later years, she had ‘Happy’ who she shared as a therapy dog for the elderly.
Peggy continued giving with the last of what she had. Her body was donated to scientific research in the hope it would make the lives of others better. Just as in her life, she made the lives of everyone she knew and met better for knowing her.
Though my mom would wish there were not many hearts breaking. We will heal and always remember the love she gave to us all. She was affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth Bower Johnston and Robert F. Johnston, her third son Christopher, who passed away in a tragic accident in 1974, and by her first husband Thomas F. Downey. Peggy is survived by her three sons, Robert (Susan), Thomas (Colleen), and Daniel (Vanessa), her grandchildren Christopher, and Margaret and her great grandson Nature. Peggy is also survived by her husband Col. E. Keith Ball ret. and his wonderful family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to St Francis Hospice Foundation. A celebration of life will be scheduled for a future date.