Peggy "Jill" Demyan

Peggy “Jill” Demyan passed away peacefully Thursday, July 3, at East Jefferson Hospital,after a hard-fought battle against cholangiocarcinoma.

Jill was blessed with the rare ability to change someone’s life at first glance. It happened to me in a laundromat 44 years ago. I married her and will love her forever. Born in Biloxi, MS on June 5, 1953, and in 1957 moved to and grew up in Ocean Springs, MS. She followed in her mother’s march steps and became head majorette for the Ocean Springs High Greyhounds, to go along with a Junior Miss title.

Jill’s only real hobby was to love. Every day of her life she loved and then mourned her mother

And Father “Miss Peggy” and “Papa Jack”. Also held so dear her brothers Jack and Jeff, and their wives Cathy and Cindy. Her “Friday I Love You” calls will be missed. Loved her niece Heather, and nieces Natalie, Emily, and Olivia, great nephews Jaks Micheal and “Dash” Gavin. She also remained close to her “far-away” niece, Jade.

She traveled on many cruises and vacations with Alex’s family and was there to celebrate her Mother-in-Law, Janet’s, 100th birthday. Although Jill and Alex had no children, she used that great reserve of love on her Church Family at Our Lady of Divine Providence, friends, clients, fellow hairdressers, and her beloved Boston Terrors, Cagney, Abby, and Augie.

Jill loved Ocean Springs and returned often, especially for the highlight of her year - the Peter Anderson Festival, where she celebrated with her lifelong friends, Sherrill and Sandra, together with many other high school buddies. Jill bravely rode out many Hurricanes in her small house on Bowen Ave., including Camille and Katrina.

Only those who waited in line behind her at the grocery store will not miss her, as she was one of the few remaining who still insisted on paying by check, which the machine always rejected. The manager would have to be called to verify, but he too came to love her.

Jill’s positive energy and natural talent lead her to a career in the hair industry. Starting as a platform artist with Helene Curtis, she rose to Master Creative Designer with Zotos International. Jill performed hair shows all over the world, including London, Tokyo, Barcelona, Milan, and her favorite destination, Newfoundland.

She moved to Metairie, LA in 1981 and decided to start her own hairdressing business. She found a nice space with MGM hair design in 1992 and styled there for 30 years, building a generation of clients that loved her, and mourning her today.

Her great friend and colleague, Gladys Martinez, retired in 2023 and the salon had to close. Through prayer and the Grace of God, she was able to find a wonderful new salon, Salon Sierra, where she continued dressing hair until two weeks before she passed.

So many are now heartbroken over her loss, but the sorrow now is a brief price to pay for the undying joy she brought to us. Jill made us all better people, which we will pass on to others, and in this way, she will live on forever.

Jill is survived by her husband of 42 years, Alex Demyan, Kenner, LA; Brother, Jack Dessommes and wife Cathy, Brother Jeff Dessommes and wife Cindy; nieces, Natalie Grace, Olivia Hope, and Emily Fait, of Ocean Springs, MS; Niece, Heather Dessommes and partner John Thompson; great nephews, Jaks and Gavin, of Spring Texas; Niece, Jade Dessommes (Quick), St. Petersburg, FL; Mother-in-Law, Janet Demyan, Mansfield, Ohio; Brother-in-law, Jay Demyan of Mansfield, Ohio, nephew, Matthew Demyan; niece, Rachel Demyan; Sister-in-Law, Janell Bendler and husband Warren, niece, Allisa Merrifield (husband Steve), Great niece, Eliza Merrifield, Niece, Emily Pinkett (husband Dan), Cleveland, Ohio; Brother-in-Law, Michael Demyan and wife Cindy, Columbus, Ohio; So many loved cousins, extended family members, lifelong friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched.

Preceding her in death is her faither, Jean Jacques (Papa Jack) Dessommes; mother, Peggy Lucretia Carver Dessommes; and father-in-law, Alex Demyan Sr.

In Lieu of flowers, Jill would ask that you go to Church on Sunday, tip often and generously, and add one extra smile to the world each day, in her memory.

Family and Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Our Lady of Divine Providence, Metairie, LA on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 12 noon. Friends may visit from 10:30am until mass.

A celebration of her life will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs MS on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 2-4 PM.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Peggy “Jill” Demyan.