Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name used here | Margaret Mary Jones |
| Also known as | Peggy Burns, Peggy Jones |
| Born | 2 October 1913 |
| Children | Terence “Terry” Burns (b. 1937), David Robert Jones known as David Bowie (b. 8 January 1947) |
| Spouse | Haywood Stenton “John” Jones – married 12 September 1947 |
| Other family notes | A daughter given up for adoption is referenced in family accounts circa 1943 |
| Died | 2 April 2001 |
| Notable descendants | Grandchildren: Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones and Alexandria Zahra Jones; Great-grandchildren: Stenton David Jones and Zowie Tala Mabsie Jones |
Early Life and Formative Years
Born in October 1913, Margaret Mary Jones grew up in a working-class environment that valued practical knowledge and quiet fortitude. She learnt to read a room while working in public places like a movie theater in the 1930s. The practical temperament that would serve as the foundation for decades of family life was fashioned by that labor. A large portion of her personal experience is framed by the two times she became a mother, in 1937 and 1947. Everyday lines and tiny, definitive actions that stick out when closely examined are what make her life look like a well-worn photograph.
Family and Personal Relationships
| Relation | Name | Brief introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Father | James Edward Burns | Head of the household in family records; part of a lineage that carried Irish threads. |
| Mother | Margaret Alice Heaton | The maternal anchor of the Burns household. |
| Spouse | Haywood Stenton “John” Jones | Married Margaret in September 1947 and raised the family with her. |
| Son | Terence “Terry” Burns | Born 1937; older half brother to David; his life and struggles left an imprint on the family story. |
| Son | David Robert Jones (David Bowie) | Born 8 January 1947; became the internationally known musician and actor whose life cast a retrospective spotlight on his mother. |
| Daughter | Myra Ann (reported) | Mentioned in family recollections as adopted out in the early 1940s. |
| Grandchildren | Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones; Alexandria Zahra Jones | Duncan became a film director; Alexandria is known publicly as Lexi. |
| Great-grandchildren | Stenton David Jones; Zowie Tala Mabsie Jones | Born to the next generation and carrying familial names forward. |
Margaret’s personal relationships had texture. She raised a son from an earlier relationship and then, after marrying John Jones, raised David in a new family configuration. There are accounts of a daughter placed for adoption during wartime years. Those incidents folded into the family narrative and echoed across generations. Her manner was often described by those close to the family as reserved and practical, with a loyalty that did not advertise itself.
Career and Public Life
Margaret’s public profile was minimal compared to the celebrity of her son. Her early paid work centered on service in the local cinema and similar jobs where punctuality and steady hands mattered more than public acclaim. She did not build a public career with awards or a professional portfolio. Instead, her influence was domestic and formative. She was the steady presence at home as the family navigated economic pressures and shifting social expectations across mid century decades.
Net Worth, Estate Notes, and Public Perception
There are no public records that present Margaret as a figure of independent financial notoriety. Her place in public memory is largely familial. When bigger financial narratives arose within the family they centered on the career and estate of David Bowie rather than on her personal holdings. In life and afterwards her reputation was shaped by character and family memory rather than by material claims.
Rumors, Family Stories, and Notable Episodes
Family lore often fills the gaps that formal records leave blank. Two recurring threads appear: first, the account of a daughter given up for adoption in the early 1940s; second, the long shadow of Terry Burns who suffered mental illness and died in 1985. Those threads are not mere gossip. They are recurring motifs that influenced David Bowie’s work and the way the family told its story. The household weathered joy and grief in alternation. The stories passed down can feel like small storms that rearrange furniture in the memory of a family. Margaret remained at the center of those recollections as a creature of habit who nevertheless contained a private depth.
Recent Mentions and Ongoing Legacy
Although Margaret died in 2001 her name surfaces when the family marks births anniversaries and when grandchildren speak publicly. The second and third generations keep family names in circulation and thus keep her presence in the cultural periphery. Grandchildren and great grandchildren have announced births, chosen names that echo family history, and occasionally shared memories that shine a new light on her character. Her role is the sort of quiet legacy that acts like a hidden seam in a garment. It holds things together even if it is not always visible.
Extended Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Birth of Margaret Mary Burns on 2 October. |
| 1937 | Birth of Terence “Terry” Burns. |
| Early 1940s | Family accounts reference a daughter placed for adoption around 1943. |
| 1947 | Birth of David Robert Jones on 8 January. |
| 1947 | Marriage to Haywood Stenton “John” Jones on 12 September. |
| 1985 | Death of Terence “Terry” Burns. |
| 2001 | Death of Margaret Mary Jones on 2 April. |
| 2016 | Birth of Stenton David Jones, a great-grandson. |
| 2018 | Birth of Zowie Tala Mabsie Jones, a great-granddaughter. |
These dates form a backbone of events. They anchor a domestic life that moved in rhythm with larger historical changes.
FAQ
Who was Margaret Mary Jones in relation to David Bowie?
She was David Bowie’s mother and a formative presence in his early life.
When was she born and when did she die?
She was born on 2 October 1913 and died on 2 April 2001.
Who were her children?
Her known children were Terence “Terry” Burns, born 1937, and David Robert Jones, born 8 January 1947.
Was she a public figure with a career?
No. Her life was primarily private and domestic, with early work in service roles such as a cinema waitress.
Did she have grandchildren and great-grandchildren?
Yes. Notable grandchildren include Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones and Alexandria Zahra Jones, and great-grandchildren include Stenton David Jones and Zowie Tala Mabsie Jones.
Are there notable family stories?
Yes. Family narratives often mention a daughter adopted out in the 1940s and the long illness and death of her son Terry, both of which shaped the family story.
