Priscilla "Per" Louise Kschinka

Priscilla Louise (Wescott) Kschinka, died peacefully on Friday, June 17, 2016, in Concord, New Hampshire. Born September 21, 1920, in Newburgh, New York, Priscilla (“Per”) was the youngest child of Arthur Clement Wescott and Elsie May Pike. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in June, 1938, and received her A.B. degree from Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1942, graduating as her class valedictorian. She married Charles Miller Kschinka at the Muhlenberg College chapel on November 25 of the same year. While Charlie was overseas during WWII, Per lived in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she held positions with Bethlehem Steel Company and the Community Chest. Per and Charlie made their home in Dushore, Pennsylvania, from 1946 to 1986, where they raised their family of six children, two sons and four daughters. Having taught for a short period after college, Per returned to teaching in 1962, first at Turnpike High School in Mildred, and then at Sullivan County High School in Laporte, where she taught reading, Latin, and English. She and Charlie built a home on Lake Ganoga, where she loved the big, beautiful hemlock trees. They retired to Vero Beach, Florida, in 1986, and for several years wintered there, while spending their summers at Bald Peak Colony Club in New Hampshire. In 2011, Per moved to New Hampshire to be closer to her family in New England. Per loved music. She played the piano and was a beautiful soprano. She sang in the choir of Zion Lutheran Church in Dushore, and often broke into song when she was especially happy. She enjoyed reading, particularly English and American literature and poetry. She was an excellent cook, and countless family gatherings featured her delicious gourmet meals. She loved travel, card games and board games, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles, and was fond of dogs and cats. In her retirement years, she became interested in environmental issues, and was the first in her retirement set to buy a Prius. Another great interest was continuing her mother's extensive family genealogy work, ultimately compiling it in book form for her children. She was a proud member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, NH Chapter, and gave all her children lifetime memberships. Her travels included visiting old English churches to spend hours looking for genealogical ties; visiting ancient ruins to consider the civilizations who built them; and camping, fishing, and hunting with her husband. In one memorable adventure, she drove across Yukon to Alaska towing a camper, with her three youngest children accompanying her. Throughout her life, good manners and correct grammar were very important to her. The standards of conduct she set for her children were quite high, but a compliment or personal attention would charm her. She had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor, and was always willing to laugh at herself. She retained her sense of humor, her love of family, her impeccable grammar, and many Latin aphorisms until the end. Predeceased by her husband, Per is survived by her six children and their families, who were her singular passion: Robert and Jane Swisher Kschinka, Jan Kschinka Bramhall and Mark Bramhall, Joyce Kschinka Williams, Jill Kschinka Blackmer, Nancy Kschinka, Bruce and Kelly Pemberton Kschinka, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Arpiar Saunders. A private memorial service will be held later in the year. In lieu of flowers, feel welcome to make a contribution in her memory to the The Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10111 or Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, 250 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301 or the Sullivan County Library, PO Box 309, Dushore, PA 18614-0309. To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Priscilla "Per" Louise Kschinka, please visit our flower store.