Reverend Dr. Virginia A. Peacock

Rev. Peacock moved to the “U.P.” of Michigan in 1997, from Ann Arbor, MI. Ginny served at Grace Episcopal Church in Ishpeming, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Nagaunee, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Little Lake, and ran the diocesan Page Conference Center in Gwinn. Later, she served at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton. While in the UP, Ginny greatly enjoyed her adjunct teaching at Northern Michigan University, where she taught courses in Religion and Philosophy. She also engaged in sports such as swimming, and learning to skull. She did an annual swim across Teal Lake for a few years, even winning her age division.

Ginny was born in Chicago, IL, to Daurie Vance and Maryella (Cowles) Peacock. She grew up in Oak Park. She earned her undergraduate degree at University of Michigan, where she met and married John H. Martin. They had two children; Elizabeth and Deborah.

Following a divorce in 1975, Ginny earned her Master of Divinity (1977) from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. Ginny engaged in doctoral studies at the Toronto School of Theology. Her dissertation work examined the scholarship and ethical philosophy of 18th Century theologian Jonathan Edwards. She earned her PhD from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto in 1987.

With her abiding love of church and service Ginny was ordained during the early wave of female Episcopal Priests, by her home Diocesan Bishop, Colman McGehee Jr., of Michigan.

In her lifetime, Ginny served in parishes and university communities in Toronto, ON; Ann Arbor, MI; and Deer Isle, ME, in addition to her calling in the Upper Peninsula.

Ginny was predeceased by her father, mother, and older brother, Vance.

She is survived by her loving daughters: Elizabeth of Cambridge, ON, and Deborah of Worcester, MA; her sons-in-law: Edward and Dan; her grandchildren: Christopher, Timothy, William, and Rebecca Martin-Chan, Naomi and Isaac Shertzer; and countless friends, especially in Toronto, the U.P. of Michigan, and her Deer Isle community.

Ginny was deeply reflective, and loved to read philosophy and religious ethics. She deeply believed in love and community and sought in her ministries to integrate philosophical and ethical questions around existence, into practical, meaningful approaches to living life. She was a wonderful listener and could disarm with her thoughtful open-mindedness. She was fierce about her friendships and social justice, and called herself and others to witness with honesty, kindness, and integrity.

She was a quiet force who will be dearly missed.

Her body has been cremated and there will be a private service for family and close friends.

Burial will be at a later date at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Three Rivers, MI.