Priscilla French Curry

Priscilla French Curry, age 91, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2022. She was born in Bedford, NH on June 3, 1930, the daughter of the late Gillis and Lillian (Stein) French.  She graduated cum laude from Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College) in 1952.

Priscilla is survived by her daughter Susan Fulenwider (Paul) of Rye, NY and her son Thomas Curry (Candice) of Ft. Worth, TX. She was the proud grandmother of Christopher Fulenwider, Allison Walsh (Fulenwider), Melissa Fulenwider, Scott Curry, and Cally Mahaffey (Curry) and great grandmother of James Mahaffey. She is also survived by several cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, William Howard Curry, in 2001.

Priscilla was born and raised in Bedford, NH on her family property on Wallace Rd, and attended the Stevens-Buswell School and West High School. She set her sights on attending Beaver College in suburban Philadelphia, an all women college at the time, majoring in mathematics.  Her connection to Beaver College remained strong throughout her entire lifetime.  Priscilla was her class fund agent for over 60 years, was active in the local alumni association for 35 years, and also volunteered in the alumni office on campus.  Priscilla met her future husband while attending Beaver. After graduating, she worked for 2 years at an actuarial firm in NYC and lived at the YWCA.  Priscilla loved her early years in NYC and often reflected on them.  Her husband to be joined the navy for those 2 years, and they were married on October 23, 1954, at the Bedford Presbyterian Church.  They raised their family  in Dresher, PA.

Priscilla never lost her attachment to Bedford, as she and her family summered in Bedford several weeks every year, enjoying the proximity to Lake Sunapee and Wallis Sands Beach. In 1989, she and her husband moved back to Bedford to live in the family homestead. She enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and neighbors, volunteering with the Bedford Historical Society, and fundraising for the Stevens- Buswell School.

Priscilla loved to travel in her later years and never missed an opportunity be it with her children, a cousin or friend.  She had a sense of adventure and curiosity and visited 8 different countries. She loved visiting her daughter and her family in Rye, NY and going to many Broadway musicals, Radio City, and Andrea Bocelli concerts in NYC, in between attending recitals, swim meets, and ice hockey games for her grandchildren. Her love of music stayed with her till her very last days. She also enjoyed visiting her son and his family in Ft. Worth, TX, with visits often including trips to the Ft Worth Stockyards Rodeo, the three presidential libraries in Texas, the Dallas Botanical Garden and the sidelines of many skating rinks and soccer games for her Texas grandchildren.  

Priscilla was cut from a strong cloth that enabled her to rise to every challenge that came her way with integrity and determination, such as moving her house in 1996 and standing up to protect her rights to dismantle her 200 year old dairy barn that was falling down. She demonstrated resilience in facing these challenges and also moments of grief. She was able to live independently for another 17 years after her husband passed in 2001, surrounding herself with friends, family and music.  She later resided at Carlyle Place for 4 years and the Arbors for 4 months.   

Priscilla always had a smile and a kind word for anyone that entered her world, and her generosity knew no bounds. Her greatest joy was raising and supporting her family and watching her five grandchildren grow up into amazing young adults. Priscilla was deeply loved and adored by everyone that knew her. She was admired by all for her selflessness and devotion to family and friends. Even in her final years, never a visit went by without her wanting to give you something, no matter how small.  Her warm personality always made you feel special. She had lifelong friends in many places, some since childhood. Because of who she was, Priscilla made many lasting memories with all the people in her life.

A memorial gathering will take place at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 250 Coolidge Ave. Manchester, NH on Sunday June 12th, 2022 from 4-6pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Bedford Presbyterian Church on Monday, June 13th, at 11am. A private urn burial will follow at Bedford Center Cemeter. Whether attending the gathering or celebration service, please dress in something colorful to commemorate her love of life.

Those who wish to celebrate Priscilla’s life with a gift can visit alumni.arcadia.edu and make a gift in her honor to either The Fund for Arcadia or the Scholarship Fund or by sending a check to Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038.