Margaret Jean Chipp Flores, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in her home, surrounded by the love of her two sons, Jonathan and Jeremy Flores. Jean was born on October 28, 1940, in Ellenville, Ulster County, New York, to the late Arthur and Mabel Chipp. In her 20s, her adventurous spirit led her across the country to California. It was in San Diego, where she met and fell in love with Joseph Flores who was serving in the US Navy. The couple later moved to Firebaugh, California, to build their life and raise their two young boys. In 1974, tragedy struck when Joseph passed away, leaving Jean to raise her two growing sons on her own. Facing immense hardship, Jean proved to be a woman of unparalleled resilience. While raising her boys, she opened her heart and her home in Firebaugh to several family members who needed support. She never complained, she never quit, and she always kept going. Jean faced every storm with a smile. She was a woman who stood strong with a soft voice and a comforting presence, and when she placed her hand on your cheek, you instantly knew that everything was going to be okay. Jean’s true passion in life was helping others. She became a dedicated activist, protesting against war and injustice, and a passionate community organizer whose timeless efforts were recognized by the city of Fresno, fellow activists, and her colleagues. Beginning in 1991, Jean worked full-time during the week as an inventory clerk for the Kaiser Permanente First Street Pharmacy. On the weekends, she rolled up her sleeves to help others, volunteering hundreds of hours each year for the poor and less fortunate. As a newspaper reporter for the Fresno Bee once noted, Jean was a woman who "gives of herself in a quiet, humble way." Every Saturday, as a member of Food Not Bombs, she cooked and served food to the hungry and homeless in Central Fresno’s Roeding Park. In recognition of her selfless dedication, she was the recipient of the Fresno Community Service Award in 2003, and was honored again in 2007 with a Food Not Bombs Community Service Award. At the First Methodist Church of Fresno, she led a women's group and coordinated a massive, monthly three-church recycling effort. She also ran a nonprofit organization called The Sleeping Bag Project where she personally collected and distributed sleeping bags, hats, tents, and anything that could keep a person warm to the needy during winter. "I love working with grassroots organizations," Jean once said. "I like to interact directly with people and help them through a difficult time." Her diverse interests also included photography, archaeology, trying new recipes, and reading self-help books. An avid traveler, she loved exploring the countryside and drove from coast to coast multiple times. Upon retiring, Jean returned to New York to care for her mother, Mabel, until her passing. She then relocated to Eugene, Oregon, to live with her two sons. In Eugene, she joined the local Methodist Church and quickly became an active member. She deeply enjoyed listening to music, dancing, watching movies, and taking afternoon drives through the countryside with her sons. Though the last five plus years brought difficult health challenges, Jean never stopped being herself. She remained ever kind, infinitely patient, and always ready to smile to make others feel better, placing her hand on your cheek to make all troubles go away. She is survived by her devoted sons, Jonathan Flores and Jeremy Flores; her brother, Howard Chipp, and his wife, Chris Chipp; her nephew, Tim Chipp; her niece, Kara Chipp; and a host of family members, friends, and fellow advocates whose lives were forever changed by her grace and generosity. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Flores, and her parents, Arthur and Mabel Chipp. Jean chose to be cremated, and her arrangements were entrusted to Andreasons Cremation and Burial Services in Springfield, Oregon. A viewing was held on October 7, where her two sons, alongside several close family members and friends, gathered to honor her memory, share their love, and say their final goodbyes. A celebration of Jean’s life will be announced at a later date.