In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite, Volunteer, Priscilla Anderson, 81

Longtime Rumsonite, wife, mom and volunteer Priscilla Anderson passed away on June 22, within days of her husband Jim. She was 81.

Known as “a happy homemaker,” Priscilla raised nine children in Rumson with Jim, the love of her life and husband of 61 years. The couple ended up living in more recent years in Atlantic Highlands. All of their children graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, where Priscilla was active in the PTA for many years. She also coached numerous recreational sports teams, including soccer and basketball.

“Her wide smile and hearty laugh were recognized throughout the Rumson-Fair Haven district. One could not drive by Priscilla without being greeted by a friendly wave or walk by her in the grocery store without her saying, ‘Hello!’ Over the years, Priscilla welcomed with open arms the many friends of their children who loved to play and stay at their home on 10 Sailors Way. There, the Anderson tribe and their friends tended to congregate on and around the
Little Climbing Tree outside of Priscilla and Jim’s bedroom window.
She had a deep respect for tradition, as evidenced by her love of being surrounded by family during the holidays.
Priscilla will be greatly missed here on earth but would want her family and friends to take comfort in knowing she is at home in heaven holding hands with Jim for eternity.”
Loved ones of Priscilla Anderson in her obituary

More about Priscilla Anderson …

Priscilla was born and raised in North Carolina and was known to have retained her Southern charm and warm demeanor throughout her life.

“Priscilla was a devoted wife and mother, a woman of faith, and a staunch conservative. She worked tirelessly to instill these values in her children, along with her fondness of reading,” family said in her obituary. “In the early 1990s, Priscilla and Jim renewed their vows in Holy Cross Church, where they and their children were active members for many years.”

An artist at heart, Priscilla actively pursued an education in painting in the 1980s. This took her on an exploration of various mediums, colors, and styles under the tutelage of Sven Widen and Lizzi Schippert.

With encouragement from her artist friends and family, she showed her work at the Rumson Library. “Priscilla’s maternal instinct was manifest in her large and diverse collection of elephants and in the jewelry she wore,” family said. Priscilla was also a member of the Rumson Library Friday Knitting Club.

Priscilla leaves behind her loving children Jim, Kevin, Buff, Cathy, Rob, Karen, Sue, Dave and Jennifer, and many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, NJ on Friday, June 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. A mass of christian burial will be held at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Red Bank on Saturday at noon. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. After that, family and friends are invited to a reception at Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m..

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.