Peggy DesChamps McGinnis Memorial Fund

Fifteen year old South County High School Sophomore Peggy McGinnis died unexpectedly Wednesday September 18, 2013. As you can imagine family and friends are devastated by their sudden loss.
Many in the community have asked how they can help.

In lieu of flowers we have set up this fund to assist the family with Funeral related expenses.


Peggy Deschamps McGinnis passed away on Wednesday 18th, 2013.

Peggy is the daughter of Robin McGinnis and Lauren Ryszka. She was born, lived, and was raised in Georgia for all of her life. It was during her life in Georgia that she developed among other passions, her strong interest and love for animals. Peggy helped raise many animals as pets while growing up, her favorite being cats. Shadow, the black cat, Pusskin, the fluffy cat, Dixie, the "not quite right" cat and Kitty, the gently cat.. She took care of them all with kindness and gentleness, in a manner one would only expect that a grade school girl could do, and the cats in turn would all respond by snubbing most others except her. Through the years, Peggy had several dogs that she loved , Belle, Doodle, Daniel, and of course Daisy who never left her side, sat beside her, followed her everywhere, slept at her feet, and woke her every morning at 6 am, weekends included. But the most unusual animals she raised as a pets were chickens! All varieties and sizes, including a miniature rooster and a Rhode Island Red that she named "Ricky Bobby". She would play outside with them, talking to them, making her own distinctly Peggy, funny, "Ca-Caw" noises, regardless of who was within hearing distance....

Peggy enjoyed displaying her style of fashion. Whether it was her favorite "skinny jeans", bright hi-lights in her hair of pink, blue or purple, shoes and boots of every color, size and design, clothing of all different fabrics and textures, Peggy enjoyed wearing them with a flash and sense of trendiness that connected with her friends and made parents think back to the time when they were at that age. Her most recent stylistic milestone was reached this past Spring, when Peggy completed 9th Grade while maintaining a high grade point average. This achievement earned her mothers approval for Peggy to dye her own hair any color of her choosing,, the result was a pink and red coloring that she proudly styled and wore through out the summer.

The most notable gift Peggy possessed was her artistic talent. She was a naturally gifted and talented artist. Through out her years in school she expressed herself in many forms, however she especially enjoyed her drawing. Her favorite medium was a simple pencil and parchment paper or computer painting programs for her fantasy drawings. Peggy loved to draw figures, scenes and even assemble them in her own cartoons, the quality of which one could imagine seeing in a daily newspaper or magazine. Her most recent 2'x 1.5' self portrait crafted in pencil on parchment is displayed on her mothers wall.

When not playing with her pets, drawing on her sketch pads or computer, or deciding what to wear the next day to school, Peggy had a funny, silly sense of humor and loved sharing that with her mother and many other family members. She enjoyed playing pranks in the form of placing plastic bugs in her mothers bed before night time, followed the next morning with a surprise fake bathroom tissue. Her mother mostly, but not alway,s feigning surprise, calling out to her, and hugging her and joking what would happen the next time.

The family will hold a memorial service this Sunday Sept. 29th at New Hope Church in Lorton. Come join friends, family and community as we honor the life of Peggy DesChamps McGinnis. Time details to follow.

Dedication written by the family.