Priscilla Ross Nealey

Passed away peacefully at age 94 on November 21^st ,2017.  She was born in Spokane, Washington to Burchard and Olive McConnell Ross on September 28^th 1923.  She was raised in a house full of athletic activity, music, academic expectations and love with two older sisters and a younger brother.  Priscilla was a proud graduate of North Central High School in Spokane where she was a multi-sport athlete and editor of the school paper.  Her sons can all remember the North Central fight song to this day.  She attended University of Washington (yes, we know the UW fight song as well) graduating with a Bachelor’s in Education.  Priscilla returned to Spokane where she taught physical education for several years at the high school level.  In 1952 she married Robert “Bob” Nealey and moved soon after to Butte Montana, where they literally built a house together and had two sons.  In 1960 they moved again to Salt Lake City where a third son was born.  In 1966 they moved a final time to Brookfield, Wisconsin.  The house in Brookfield was a home to her family for nearly 50 years.  Priscilla was an active advocate, booster and advisor to her three sons as they negotiated school and life.  She was an active member of Brookfield Presbyterian Church as well as various school parent organizations.  After her sons had left home she was a leader of the American Field Service organization both regionally and state-wide.  Priscilla also found herself back in the workforce with Sterling industries where she helped with the books well into her seventies.  Her membership in PEO was a great joy and resulted in many great and lasting friendships.

Bob and Priscilla often traveled back to Washington to visit their parents, siblings and extended family.  They also traveled to Europe, Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Minnesota, or wherever their sons were living at the time.  She especially liked seeing and attending events that featured her grandchildren.  Throughout her life she was a good and probably overly competitive bridge player, usually too hard on herself, but regularly hard on her partners.

In life Priscilla touched many.  Her infectious, and sometimes sharp sense of humor, made her popular with all she met.  Her kindness to and recognition of those around her endeared her to all she encountered.  In the end, she was family centered, always wanting to talk about her family; past, present and future.  She truly loved her family, and they loved her.

Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Nettie Jean and Betsy, and her husband of 53 years, Robert.  She is survived by her brother David Ross (Joanne) of Marysville, WA, sons Matthew (Mary) of Burnsville, MN, Luke (LeAnn) of Ridgeland, MS, Paul (Nicola) of Chicago, IL, as well as grandchildren Jason Knoll, Angie Knoll, Isaac Nealey, and Kendra Nealey, and many nieces and nephews and their descendants.

The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the staff of Tudor Oaks where Priscilla spent the last years of her life.  The outpouring of love and caring shown to Priscilla over these last years certainly shows that they are fulfilling a calling rather than just a job.

Since there will not be any service in Wisconsin we encourage all of those that Priscilla has touched in her life to share remembrances online so her family and friends can understand the full measure of her life.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Nature Conservancy or charity of choice.