Margaret Coury Armstrong

Margaret Coury Armstrong, devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother and prominent Farmington businesswoman and community leader, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, with her family by her side in Farmington, New Mexico. She was 89 years old. Born on July 6, 1936, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Margaret was the daughter of Mona Craine Coury and Isidore (IJ) Coury. Her early life was lived in Farmington, New Mexico, where she attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Farmington High School in 1954. Margaret valued education and possessed a keen sense of style. She continued her education at the University of New Mexico, where she was an active member of the Chi Omega Sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1958. Driven by a passion for fashion and design, she further honed her expertise at the Tobé-Coburn School in New York City, receiving a Certificate in Fashion Merchandising, a credential that would form her future career. Following her studies, Margaret relocated to Dallas, Texas, to begin her professional career as a fashion buyer at Sanger Harris Department Store. It was in Dallas that she met the love of her life, Ed Armstrong, and they were married on June 3rd, 1961, in her hometown of Farmington, New Mexico. In 1972, Margaret and Ed returned to Farmington, where they became integral members of the business community. Together, they owned and operated Armstrong/Coury Insurance Agency for over four decades. Their entrepreneurial spirit also extended to real estate and development, as they concurrently ran Valley Construction and Development and Armstrong Properties. Tapping into her early passion for fashion, Margaret opened and ran her own successful dress and clothing boutique called M's in the 1990s. While managing multiple businesses and raising a family, Margaret dedicated countless hours to civic duty and volunteerism. She was a leader in the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), serving actively at the local level and achieving the esteemed position of GFWC State President. Her commitment to the local community was demonstrated by her involvement with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, where she proudly served as President in 1991. She was the President of the San Juan Country Club in 2011, where she and Ed were active members. Margaret held several key public service positions, lending her time and expertise to organizations vital to the Farmington community. She was involved with the Connie Mack World Series, and served many years on the Board of Directors for the Farmington Public Library Foundation. In her free time, Margaret embraced life with enthusiasm. Above all, she treasured spending time with her loving family and many close friends. She found joy in traveling, quilting, sewing,

and indulging in her love for fashion through shopping. She was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team-a loyalty that began when she attended their inaugural game in 1960. She was also famously devoted to her two dogs, both affectionately named Killer. Margaret was grateful for the kindness and support shown by her friends who provided comfort and assistance in her final years, including June Fergason, Teresa Teran, Pam Williamson, Karen McPheeters, and many other dear friends she cherished. Margaret is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edwin Guy Armstrong; her parents, Mona Craine Coury and Isidore (IJ) Coury; and her brother, John Coury. She is survived by her two sons, Edwin (Coury) Armstrong (Patti Lindquist), and Robert (Bobby) Armstrong (Sherill Armstrong). She also leaves behind her grandsons, William Nelson, Nick Nelson, and Coury Jay Armstrong, and her great-granddaughter, Ila Nelson. A Celebration of Margaret's Life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, December 5th, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Farmington Public Library Foundation or a charity of your choice.