Writer, environmentalist, feminist, friend leaves lasting legacy in Western New Brunswick
On Aug. 6, George Peabody, 79, died at his home in Lower Woodstock with his wife, Debrah Westerburg, and friends and family by his side, with the support of MAID.
Peabody was a historian, author, and environmentalist, among other things. He spent a good chunk of his life freelance writing. He was the author of many books and long-form poems, and editor for East Coast Limericks, Best Maritime Short Stories, and The Maritimes: Tradition, Challenge and Change.
Peabody also spent his last 25 years as the Administrator at the Meduxnekeag River Association, where he played a major role in providing impactful, ecological insights into the valley’s biodiversity. He retired from the position in April of this year.
“He sort of added detail to the fact that it was containing a great deal of Appalachian hardwood forest, and he helped us identify that and realize its importance and gave us a little extra initiative and knowledge in order to preserve that riparian zone along the river,” said Stephen Wilson, President of the Meduxnekeag River Association.
Wilson and Peabody grew close after Peabody joined the association in 1998. Wilson describes his late colleague as a talented, level-headed man who could hold the attention of those he spoke to.
As an educator, he had the skill to share his knowledge with others patiently.
“When George spoke, people tended to listen, and he was very level-headed and reasonable and knew how to manage people as well, which was mostly letting good, talented people do what they were best at. And he was a quick learner, but shared knowledge in a very gentle and humble way,” said Wilson.
Peabody’s presence will be missed not only at the Meduxnekeag trails, but also by his loved ones and the communities he’s impacted.
OBITUARY
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 on 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 many grandnieces and grandnephews.
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 final year. 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 the New Brunswick Teachers College, George taught for two years in Quebec, then hitchhiked to Vancouver, where he edited the underground newspaper The Georgia Straight and met Debrah. In 1975, they returned to New Brunswick and, with their friend Rexanne Phillips, bought 75 acres of farmland 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 and growing as many as 4,000 bulbs across more than 30 varieties each year. Along with all the hard work of cultivating such a large garden, he also found time to lie in his hammock, eat food from the garden, play cards in the evening, and appreciate the vast, starry sky 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 spent on short-term and freelance contracts, writing and editing for nonprofit community organizations. In the last 25 years, he worked with the Meduxnekeag River Association, where he helped develop the preserve and led thousands of schoolchildren on focused nature walks along its many trails, sharing his prodigious knowledge of flora and fauna.
He served on numerous boards of directors, including the original board of the Carleton Pioneer Credit Union and a five-year term as chair of the New Brunswick Credit Union Stabilization Board.
In addition to writing for 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 Formac-published 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 (federal Green Party politician) 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 that, 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.
