Margaret Veneta Higley Peabody passed to new life in Lodi, California on February 7,2011.
The youngest daughter of Margaret Francis Hawk and Clem Pinkerton Higley, Margaret was born on the family farm near Pardee, Kansas on November 28, 1917. Along with her parents, six Higley brothers: Charles (infant), Newell Clifford, Wilbur Clem, Morris Thomas, Dale Garnett and one sister, Emma Marie Higley preceded her in death. A granddaughter Toni Michele also proceeded her in death. A brother, Glenn (Bud) Higley of Wichita survives.
During Margaret's formative years, the Higleys lived on the Wagner farm, in southwest Atchison. When she was in the eighth grade they moved to a farm north of Muscotah. She graduated from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham, Kansas in 1936.
Following high school, Margaret attended Atchison Business School. After graduation she worked for Montgomery Ward in Kansas City. After being laid off following the Christmas rush, she worked in Virgil Littles' General Food Store in Muscotah, Kansas. While there, she met the man who was to become her husband for life, Frank E. Peabody. Following a courtship of nearly three years they were married in the parsonage of the Muscotah Congregational Church by the Rev. Thomas Charles Cocks on March 11, 1938. Brother Dale and sister-in-law, Ora Higley stood up with them and witnessed the event along with Maria Louise Cocks who, with her husband Rev. T.C., were to become Margaret's grandchildren's great-great grandmother and grandfather.
After a Honeymoon in the Muelbach Hotel in Kansas City they settled in Muscotah where Margaret remained a homemaker while Frank first worked for the Muscotah and Effingham Lumber yards and later was in charge of the Atchison County Conservation Office in Effingham.
During the war years Frank and Margaret commuted to Little Rock, Arkansas and to Memphis, Tennessee where Frank worked for Combustion Engineering. While serving together in the Atchison County Treasurer's office, between 1948-50 they purchased the Muscotah Lumber yard with Frank's father George Dodd Peabody.
While working, Margaret continued to be a homemaker, involved with Muscotah Grade School PTA, the United Congregational Church, and her many crafts. She served as the Conductress and member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Margaret worked for the Horton Garment factory until the family moved to Manhattan, Kansas. She became the District Secretary for the Riley County Conservation District retiring in 1977. In Manhattan she was president of the Toastmistress Club, treasurer of Travelers Insurance Club and a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
In the early seventies, Frank and Margaret moved to Council Grove, Kansas. After both retired, they moved to the Council Grove city lake where they lived in the summer months traveling to Brownsville, Texas in the winter. There they were active members of the Christian Church and Margaret delved into China painting.
They settled in Lodi, California in 2000 eventually losing Frank in 2001. In the past decade Margaret has continued her crafts while she made her home at the Arbor Independent Living Center and finally Arbor Nursing Hospital in Lodi. She was a member of the United Congregational Christian Church of Lodi, California where her son was the Minister.
The Peabodys have two children who survive: son, the Reverend Derril Edward Peabody of Lodi, California (spouse, Professor Linda L. {Christ} Peabody) and daughter, Margaret Janie Peabody Rippe (spouse Donald Rippe) of St. George, Kansas.
Margaret leaves three grandchildren: Paige Nicole Peabody Blevins, spouse Dewey Max Blevins, of Lodi, California, Joshua Todd Peabody and spouse Nancy Jane Peabody of Phoenix, Arizona and Heather Elizabeth Miotke of St.George, Kansas.
She also leaves four great grandchildren: Maximilian Joshua Blevins, Gwendolyn Nicole Peabody, Harrison Derril Blevins, and Andrew Porter Peabody.
The loss of this outgoing, active, personable, interesting, crafty, happy and loving lady leaves a void of gaping proportions in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her. She shall be sorely missed.
Visitation will be 7-8pm Friday February 18, 2011 at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. A Funeral Service is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11am at the Muscotah United Church in Muscotah, Kansas. Burial will be at the Muscotah Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Margaret's name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sacramento@cff.org and/or the United Church of Muscotah, Kansas, 66058. www.dishon-maple-chaney.com