Priscilla B. Elliot Obituary (2011)

Westford, MA - Priscilla B. Elliott, longtime resident of Westford, MA died peacefully at home on June 29 with her beloved springer spaniel, Angel, by her side. She was 98. Born Priscilla Burrage in Lowell, MA, Mrs. Elliott was educated at Lowell High School. Following her graduation in 1930 she spent a year in Europe studying art and languages: the first six months at the Sorbonne in Paris, the second in Rome. The young and ingenuous girl who boarded the ship that took her abroad returned a year later a chic and sophisticated young woman. The change did not go unnoticed by family friend Herford N. Elliott who had been enlisted to meet her ship when it docked, and they were married within the year. Hers was the real-life story of the movie Sabrina. They spent their honeymoon on horseback, riding from inn to inn through Vermont and New York. They were accompanied by a trainer who cared for the horses and transported their luggage from one spot to the next. At some point along the way, a stray dog followed the procession. He returned home with them and became the first of many household dogs. Travel was an important part of their life, and they went all over the world together. However, they always traveled by plane, never by boat. "It was a great disappointment to Herford," Priscilla reminisced, "He loved cruises, but I got terribly seasick." Motion sickness seemed an odd affliction for a woman who was always on the go. An excellent tennis player, one of her only regrets was that she never had the nerve to try to play professionally. In addition, her many interests and charitable activities kept her fully occupied, and she had a vast circle of friends. "Every person that came within her realm adored her," stated Lois Adams, her longtime caregiver and friend. "People were drawn to her and loved herold acquaintances, new acquaintances, their children and their children's children." After her family and friends, her greatest loves were animals and birds in their natural habitats. Following Herford's death in 1975, Priscilla continued to travel extensively both here and abroad. She visited Jackson, Wyoming, which quickly became one of her favorite spots on earth. She'd revel in the exquisite, pristine environment that was home to the moose, elk, bison, and deer that she so loved to watch. She continued to make annual pilgrimages until the summer of 2009, so determined was she to see the Grand Tetons one more time.' Bird-watching was another of her many passions. She was extremely knowledgeable about birds, and their different needs and requirements. A vast array of feeders surrounded her home in Westford, and she always kept them filled with the appropriate seed or suet. Her travels included time allotted for bird-watching, and she had an impressive Life List, the log that birders maintain to keep track of all the species they've seen. Not surprisingly, much of the Elliotts' philanthropic activity was directed toward wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship. A partial list of their commitments includes, The Elliott Wildlife Value Projectpart of the Girl Scouts of the USA, this project aims to develop girls as leaders in conservation, Hawk Mountain Refuge for Raptorsbased in southeastern Pennsylvania, completely endowed by Priscilla and Herford Elliott, The Audubon Society, Hawaiian Conservation Land, donated on Oahu. Closer to home, Priscilla received an award in 2004 from the Westford Conservation Trust for her donation of eight acres on Hildreth Street. The land is now known as the Prospect Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. She was also a significant benefactor of the First Parish Church United in Westford. Mrs. Elliott is survived by three nieces, Priscilla Devine of Concord, NH, Marianne MacCuish of Santa Barbara, CA and Cynthia Schofield of San Diego, CA, two nephews, Thomas Elliott Leggat of Lincoln, MA and Richard Durning Leggat of Cohasset, MA, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. A service in her memory will take place at First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, on Saturday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02130) or the Massachusetts Audubon Society (208 South Great Road, Lincoln MA 01773).