April 26, 1948 - December 30, 2020
Born in Bradenton, Florida
Resided in Des Moines
Sally Suzanne Peterson, 72, died December 30th due to complications following a heart attack in Des Moines. She leaves behind a community of friends and family that literally spans the world.
Suzanne was born and raised in Bradenton, FL, the daughter of Harry Peterson, Jr. and Mildred (Romine) Peterson. Following graduation from Manatee High School, she attended Florida State University and pursued a higher calling by enrolling in Virginia Theological Seminary. After graduation, she accepted a job as an assistant to the Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Des Moines, Iowa. This was in the early 70’s when women were not ordained in the Episcopal Church. But she had found a home in the church and its mission of peace and justice, so she quietly pursued that possibility. In 1977, she became one of the first women in Iowa to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. She was also the statewide program coordinator for the Iowa Inter-Church Agency for Peace and Justice.
Her journey took her to South Africa for the next 17 years, working in various positions, including parish priest and acting Dean of the Cathedral in the Diocese of Grahamstown. She then served in the office of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba in Cape Town as Canon for Social Justice. Suzanne traveled extensively throughout South Africa and Latin America in her ministry for peace and justice.
She returned to the United States in 2013 and became Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo. Following retirement, she moved back to Des Moines.
She is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her brother Harry Peterson, III (Cindy) of Bradenton, FL, along with nieces Faith (Ozzie) Mejia, Anna (Nathan) Smith, nephew Jacob Peterson, two great nephews and one great niece. She also leaves behind her beloved four legged companion Thandi, a black labrador that eats tv remote controls.
Due to Covid-19, services will be private but can be viewed online Friday, January 8th at 10 a.m. from the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The service will be streamed via www.iowaepiscopal.org. Online condolences will be welcomed at the IlesCares.com website.
Memorial contributions can be made to the ‘Canon Suzanne Peterson Memorial Fund for Justice and Peace/Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.’
But perhaps the best way to honor her lifelong efforts would be to respect and love each other, in the name of justice and peace.
I am heart broken at the loss of my childhood and life long friend. She was a special person who lived a truly Christian life in the service of and care for so many. I know she is at peace with her Lord and Savior. I send love and condolences to Pete and family.
Sincere condolences to Suzanne’s family and friends around the world. The memories remain ,her love and compassion will live on ,No words sufficient to describe the sudden loss.Rest in Peace Suzanne, and Rise in Glory.I hope Thembi will be waiting for you.
I met Suzanne in South Africa in 2006. I was on sabbatical and stying with the monks at their monastery on the outskirts of Grahamstown. Suzanne offered to pick me up at the airport in Port Elizabeth and that was just the beginning of her kindness to me. We had many adventures over the course of my time there and her passion for God’s people was evident in everything she did. We have lost a wonderful light but her love remains for all who knew her and try to be more like her. No doubt her beloved Thembi awaits her just as her beloved Thandi will mourn her. I hope Thandi has a wonderful new home.
Our sincere condolences to family and friend of our Manatee High School Class of 1966 Alumna
Manatee High School Alumni Association
Bradenton, FL
Suzanne was a dear friend through our youth and college. She had a big heart and bright smile! Suzanne touched many lives and loved all people she encountered around the world. She loved her family, friends and dogs! Fly high, my friend…you are in a perfect place!
Judith Blount Fowler (Judy)
Suzanne was, in many ways, the conscience of the Diocese of Iowa during the twelve years I was her bishop. Simultaneously supportive and challenging she was a treausured colleague and friend. I can’t believe she’s gone. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
A wonderful person. So sorry to hear this but she led an exemplary life that we can all be proud of.
Suzanne was a wonderful, caring person. We re-connected with a luncheon here in Iowa City last year. Being somewhat nervous, after all these years, that we would run out of things to say, we had a great time talking politics, dogs and her adventures in Africa. Heaven is a more interesting place now!
Suzanne and I grew up together in Bradenton,Fl. She was always caring, intelligent and wanted to serve others. She was a faithful servant to our Lord. I had the pleasure of having lunch with her and other classmates when she visited Bradenton. She will be missed.
Suzanne was a wonderful soul whom I meet at the Anglican college in South Africa . she made us to be vocal on the issues of justice in the college.
Suzanne you were a classmate and friend many years ago, and those friendships remain in our hearts forever. Glad our paths crossed again during our 50th class reunion as we shared lunch and laughter reminiscing and catching up. Your faithfulness and service to God are a great inspiration to me. Well done my friend! Until we meet again rest in peace.
Suzanne dedicated her life in the service of others. She spent many hours with the youth of our church…always encouraging them to think about others. May she rest in eternal peace.
Our deepest sympathy and gratitude to Suzanne’s family, friends and faith community. May her years of generous service and her work for peace and justice for ALL God’s people be rewarded now with everlasting peace with her God.
Suzanne showed me that every person deserves time, compassion and ministry, including those who have money or stature.
Suzanne showed both Joan and I over and over again that ministry had no bounds, love was with arms open to all. She did not wait for people to come to her, she went to all. Thank you for guiding our ministry. It was my joy to call her my best friend, you were gift and my heart holds the treasures of our time. Plus your dogs, joy at every crossing. Rest well my friend, job well done. Pete and Family we continue to wrap arms around you all.
I can’t believe she is gone, right when the world needs her most. She gave heart and soul to so many. God knows she made me a better person! I will miss her.
I remember Suzanne Peterson when I was a young girl. My family moved from Newton, Iowa to Des Moines in 1979. We were introduced to Suzanne, and she became our sponsor for several years. We saw Suzanne mostly at St. Paul Episcopal Church when we were able to attend. I loved watching her at the podium giving her sermon. I fondly remember when she took my sister and I to the swimming pool where she tried teaching us to swim! It was some good times! Unfortunately, we lost contact with Suzanne as I was growing up. I always wondered where she was and what she was doing. I see now that she was doing what she loved, sharing her compassion and ministry with many people around the world! She was a very kind and friendly person. I’m saddened to learn of her passing, and wanted her to know that she was in my thoughts! My deepest condolences to Suzanne’s family.
Suzanne and I met in Eswatini, as participants in group pilgrimages and working visits, through our Dioceses’ (Iowa and Brechin, Scotland) Companion Link with the Anglican Diocese of Swaziland.
We shared wonderful experiences in Swaziland as we worshipped, travelled, worked and talked together. She had a generous and loving heart and, although she settled and retired in Iowa, part of her heart always remained in her beloved Africa.
She was a quietly inspirational woman in her faith and commitment to service, especially in relation to justice and peace. I was privileged to know her: she was valued and loved by many – and will be remembered and missed.
Suzanne was the first woman priest I met. As an ordinand in a Province that did not ordain women as priests she came and showed the Anglican Church in Southern Africa just how much women priests would add to the ministry of the church. She and I were good friends for many years and we shared the ups and downs of being priests. We had a mutual love of dogs and had good fun together. Rest In Peace Suzanne, and thank you, Condolences to her family and friends.
I knew of Suzanne through the Rev. Thomas J. Pfeffer, a family friend when I was growing up in Des Moines. At the age of only 14 years of age, I attended his ordination to the priesthood at St.Ambrose Cathedral. Because of that, and several other events in my young life, I too felt a calling to the priesthood, but could not follow that calling. When I was finally ordained a priest, Fr. Pfeffer came to my own ordination here at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis, Missouri, having developed a long time friendship with Fr. Pfeffer. He often spoke of Suzanne with such very kind words and admiration. I am so sorry to hear of her death, but her legacy is written in history; as is her faithfulness to being a Christian; and a priest. The Rev. Dr. Virginia L.Bennett, St. Louis, Missouri
Suzanne held a very special place in our hearts. Our father, Bob Dreher, called Suzanne his “second daughter”. St. Paul’s Cathedral church was so blessed to have her in the clergy. She was brave and daring and so grounded. She knew just the right thing to say when it was needed.
Once, we sent her very needed tennis shoes replacing a pair very worn out, to South Africa, size 8 narrow, and she insisted we “mail” them which took 3 months. She officiated at daughter Diane’s wedding at St. Paul’s in 2000 when she was back in the states.
The world was a better place when she was in it and she left a lasting legacy.
Guaranteed delivery before Rev. Canon S. Suzanne's memorial service begins.
Cathedral Church of St. Paul
815 High Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Print 
Back to Obituaries
Leave a Message