Priscilla S. Merritt

Priscilla A. (Steenken) Merritt, 105, a resident of Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, died Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.

She was born August 16, 1910 in Long Island, NY, a daughter of the late William and Louise Steenken.  Priscilla and her husband, Frank W. Merritt, celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death on January 7, 1997.  

Priscilla moved to Saranac Lake, NY at the age of seven where she grew up boating and swimming during the summer and skiing, skating and tobogganing in the winter.  In 1939, against her better judgment and after being convinced by her parents, she went on a blind date meeting the love of her life, Frank.  They married on August 3, 1940 and later moved to Lewisburg in 1948, where they instantly fell in love with the community, building a home overlooking the Bucknell Golf Course where they lived for 40 years before building the first cottage at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village.

Priscilla was a graduate of the Savage School for Physical Education in New York City and spent her life working in education.  She was both an elementary school teacher and a physical education teacher for junior and senior high girls.  After moving to Lewisburg, she taught at the North Ward, South Ward and Kelly Elementary Schools while Frank worked to become the head of the English department at Bucknell.  Priscilla also worked as a secretary for attorney Paul Showalter, the father of Lewisburg attorney, Graham C. Showalter

Priscilla lived a very long and interesting life, having lived through both World Wars and surviving the Great Depression.  She supported local children's organizations, volunteered at Evangelical Community Hospital and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg.  She loved spending time with friends, especially her close friend, Edna Propst.  In her later years, she enjoyed playing rummy and Bingo.

She is survived by a nephew, William Steenken, of Ohio and a niece, Pat Abood, of Maryland.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Bill and Ed Steenken.

Friends will be received from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, at the Buffalo Valley Assisted Living Community Room, Fairground Rd., Lewisburg, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Marian K. Anderson, chaplain of Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Lewisburg Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions in Priscilla's name may be made to either the Public Library for Union County, 255 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg, PA 17837 or the Evangelical Community Hospital, One Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.

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