If you’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with Peggy Abney, you know her brightness and generosity are completely contagious. Peggy’s journey with Neighbors Who Care first began back in 2012 while she was working full-time as a nurse at Intel. With a favorable schedule of working three days a week, Peggy found herself with open days and an overwhelming desire to give back to her local community. In those early years, she assisted neighbors by driving them to medical appointments, providing business assistance, and offering crucial respite care for family caregivers in need of a well-deserved break.
In 2017, life led Peggy back to Albuquerque, NM, where she temporarily had to bid farewell to Neighbors Who Care. However, in a turn of events, her journey brought her back to Sun Lakes. As she began preparing for retirement, Peggy knew exactly where she wanted to invest her time. She reconnected with Neighbors Who Care and officially rejoined our dedicated volunteer team in April 2025.
Peggy shares that transitioning into retirement can be a major adjustment. Going from a busy, full-time career to having open days requires two key steps: giving yourself permission to relax, and actively finding intentional ways to stay social. For Peggy, volunteering became the perfect bridge into this new chapter of life. Over the past year and a half, she has stepped seamlessly into a variety of impactful roles, providing transportation and her favorite Dinner Delivery!
Peggy enjoys delivering hot meals to neighbors in her own community. Beyond ensuring that individuals receive a warm dinner, she places value on providing an essential daily welfare check. Clients quickly get to know the friendly face at their door, eagerly anticipating her warm smile, her caring spirit, and her bright, uplifting visits that routinely brighten their day.
When she isn’t delivering meals or assisting clients, Peggy stays active with her family and personal passions. She is blessed to have her daughter, son-in-law, and the ultimate joy of her life her grandson living nearby. We also can’t forget her beloved rescue dog, Bernie, leaving everyone to wonder: did she rescue him, or did he rescue her? Additionally, Peggy loves diving into her hobbies, including reading, sewing, and quilting. Being an active member of local sewing and quilting clubs allows her to combine her favorite things, making friends, staying connected, and learning fun new techniques.
For Peggy, the true heart of volunteering comes down to a simple yet profound truth: she receives far more joy and purpose than she could ever give. She often reflects on how every delivery, quick doorstep conversation, and shared smile enriches her own life just as much as it blesses the client. Volunteering fills her heart, gives her days rich meaning, and keeps her deeply connected to the people around her. We are so incredibly grateful for Peggy’s nearly six years of service and the gentle, giving spirit she brings to our Neighbors Who Care family!