Priscilla Morse Byerly Jericho Priscilla Morse Byerly, 74, died Sunday, August 16, 2015, 4:12 p.m. at Mansfield Place, her hair still it’s natural glorious red. She had not eaten, or taken hardly anything to drink, in 17 days, because of choking problems. Yet she and her body fought hard for over six hours – and then, holding her husband’s hand, she gradually relaxed. She was beautiful even in death. Aphasia, a relative of Alzheimers, attacked her four years ago and finally killed her. A graceful, amazing athlete, Priscilla swam, skied and hiked until March of this year. As her disease advanced she would say, as if thankfully when she and husband Ken planned an outing, “just the two of us.” Ken, alone with her in her room, repeated that phrase to her many times the day she died. They married September 10, 1977, and bought a house in Tarrytown 25 miles north of New York City with long views of the Hudson River and distant hiker hills. Priscilla commuted to teach Spanish at Scarsdale Junior High School, Ken to his stockbrokers job in the city. Later they lived in Bozeman, Montana for three years and hiked and skied all over the West. They moved to Jericho, Vermont in 1990 and Priscilla taught Spanish at the University of Vermont until her retirement in 2005. She and Ken hiked Vermont’s Long Trail and many miles in the 14 states of the Appalachian Trail. Priscilla lost a child to miscarriage when she was 39. She loved kids, and that helped make her such a wonderful teacher. She also loved crossword puzzles and answering questions. When in 1993 the TV quiz show Jeopardy sought contestants in the Burlington, VT area, Priscilla was one of two people (out of 74) chosen to actually go on the show. They flew her to California, where shows were taped. She missed only one question, the final one, having to do with freedom of the press in Colonial America. Priscilla answered John Peter Zenger, an excellent choice. The answer, for vague reasons, turned out to be Benjamin Franklin. Priscilla possessed a quick wit and poignance too, and in 1990 her husband Ken began copying examples into a notebook he called “Best of Button,” (for her pug nose). She said to her husband May 11, 2008, “I’ve been thinking about our life together, Kenny B. I just want to hold on to every minute.” Sitting by the fireplace at home, Jan 1, 2010: “This is the first day of the rest of our life.” Oct. 19, 2013, before leaving on a three-day trip to visit friends in New York: “When I come back, Kenny B., we’ll be together forever and forever.” December 10, as her aphasia advanced, she said softly, twice, preparing for bed, “I love my Ken.” Priscilla was born Sept. 4, 1940 to Dr. Withrow and Winnie Allan Morse in Eastchester, New York. Her father died when she was 10. Priscilla became a Brownie, then a Girl Scout, and bounced about as a cheerleader at Eastchester High School. As a student at Wells College, Aurora, New York, Priscilla swam with the White Caps, a woman’s exhibition swim team. She lived one summer with a Spanish family in Pamplona, Spain. She loved cats, and adopted many off the streets. Thus, for those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Priscilla’s memory can be sent to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403. Ken wants to express special thanks to their doctor, Charles MacLean, Priscilla’s niece Julie Heller, and to Maryann Hallack and the entire staff at the Memory Care unit of Mansfield Place in Essex Junction. They were superb. A memorial service will be held at A W Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel, 57 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452 on Friday August 21, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Ashes from her cremation will be buried in the family cemetery, Pine Hall, North Carolina, side by side with Ken’s when he too passes on. Priscilla often visited there. Ken was born there and a boy there and many of his ancestors lie there, as will Ken’s brother Hanes when he dies. Priscilla is survived by her husband, a brother, John, and his wife Lynda of Stockbridge, Massachusetts; three nieces, Julie Heller, Williamstown Vermont; Betsy Morse, Montpelier, Vermont; Kristen Dusovic, of Mahopac New York, and a great niece Kylie Dusovic. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.