George Francis Peabody

George Francis Peabody was born June 13, 1947, in Lower Woodstock, N.B., the son of Guthrie Peabody and Barbara K. (Bedell) Peabody. He shuffled off this mortal coil August 6, 2026, peacefully, at home in Lower Woodstock, thanks, in part to the support of many friends and relatives and the professional support of MAID practitioners.

He is survived by his life companion of 53 years, Debrah Westerburg; sister Mary Jones, Saint John; brother Richard (Marilyn), Quispamsis; sister Joanne Fawcett, Vancouver; sister-in-law Norma Peabody, Fredericton; sister-in-law, Vicki Alley (Reno) Florida; sister-in-law Toni Cramblit, Ohio; and brother-in-law Dan Westerburg (Kathy), Washington.

George appreciated the support of a number of nieces and nephews: Steve Peabody (Melissa) Lower Woodstock; Gary Peabody (Cynthia) Fredericton; Allen Michael Peabody (Keitha) Langley B.C.; Eric Peabody (Tobie), Fredericton; Chris Fawcett (Shayla Sawchenko) Vancouver; Luke Westerburg, Seattle; and Jake Cramblit, California. He also had a number of grand nephews and nieces.

In recent years, he was discovered by and connected with a long-lost cousin, Stephen Bedell (Julie), England. He also joined Debrah in welcoming her daughter, Valerie Hochschild, Toronto, into their family.

George was an historian, author, poet, editor, master gardener, world traveller, bird watcher, environmentalist, feminist and an excellent bridge player. He enjoyed a life filled with friends, family and colleagues, many of whom helped him greatly in his last year of life. George and Debrah shared their lives with a series of amazing dogs and cats, always a source of amusement and companionship.

Following graduation from Woodstock High School and NB Teachers College, George taught for two years in Quebec, then hitchhiked to Vancouver where he edited the underground newspaper, The Georgia Straight and where he met Debrah. In 1975, they returned to N.B. and with their friend, Rexanne Phillips, bought 75 acres of farm and forest in Kirkland. Together Rexanne, Debrah and George built cottages on the property where they enjoyed summers ever since.

George developed and maintained by hand a large flower and vegetable garden, specializing in garlic, growing as many as 4,000 bulbs comprising more than 30 varieties each year. Along with all the hard work of cultivating such a large garden, he also found time for lying in his hammock, eating food from the garden, playing cards in evening and appreciating the vast, starry sky present throughout the summer nights.

A lifelong anarchist and atheist, George tried to live by his principles without imposing them on others. Most of his working life was occupied with short term and freelance contracts, writing and editing with nonprofit community organizations. In the last 25 years, he worked with Meduxnekeag River Association, where he helped to develop the preserve and took thousands of school children on focused nature walks throughout its many trails, passing along his prodigious knowledge of flora and fauna.

He served on numerous boards of directors, including the original board Carleton Pioneer Credit Union and a five-year term as chair of the New Brunswick Credit Union Stabilization Board.

Along with writing in numerous periodicals, he authored several books including the long-form poem, Atlantis: An Elegy (Chapel Street Editions), Kings Landing, A Living History Colourguide(Formac) and School Days: The One-Room Schools of Maritime Canada (Gooselane). He was the editor of several Formacpublished titles including East Coast Limericks, Best Maritime Short Stories and The Maritimes: Tradition, Challenge and Change.

Although some of his poetry was serious, he had a talent for light verse, especially limericks. Here are two of his favourites, the first written for Elizabeth May.

The judges in Halifax courts 

Are easily put out of sorts 

Their procedures are crude 

They’re dyspeptic and rude 

And they don’t know their writs from their torts

 ------------ 

A world weary Malpeque oyster 

Left for the calm of the cloister

 Where a Carmelite nun Ate him fried on a bun,

 Then remarked “You know, raw, they’re much moister”

Last words from George: “Remember to love each other and don’t take life too seriously—none of us is getting out alive!”

Please note, at George's request there will be no funeral. To commemorate his passing, take a walk in the Meduxnekeag Preserve, read or listen to Atlantis: An Elegy or take a drive in the country on a starry night and look at the sky.