The Rev. Dr. Fran Toy, the first Asian American woman ordained to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church, poses for a portrait at St. John’s, Oakland on August 16, 2024.
Photo by Emma Marie Chiang
Dear siblings in DioCal,
Yesterday I learned of the death of the Rev. Dr. Fran Toy after her long battle with cancer. Fran was not only the first Asian American woman ordained to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church, but a spiritual giant whose witness and ministry touched so many of our lives.
There will be much about her passion and character that will need to be said in the months and years ahead, and we are planning on celebrating her life on Pentecost, Sunday, June 8, the 40th anniversary of her ordination to the priesthood, at St. John’s in Oakland.
Details of that event will be forthcoming in the months to come.
Please join me in giving thanks for Fran’s ministry among us and pray for her family as we mourn this great loss together.
+Austin
