Priscilla DiStefano, 87, a longtime resident of Norwich passed away Friday morning, April 14, 2017, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital with her children at her side.
Priscilla was born in Edmeston on April 8, 1930 the daughter of Ralph and Minerva (Buies) Dixon. She attended school in Norwich and graduated with the Class of 1949. On September 17, 1955 in Sherburne she married Thomas DiStefano who passed away March 24, 1982. In 1949 she began a longtime career with NBT which would span to over 40 years working in the Proof Department.
Priscilla’s life was her family and her church. While working a full time job she was also a wonderful mother who always saw to the needs of her children. Her church, St. Bartholomew’s, was also very important to her. She was a lifelong member and very much a part of her church and it’s activities. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, the Ave Maria Guild and was involved in any of the church activities. Over the years Priscilla was the “go to” person for the funeral luncheons which she helped coordinate and work. She was also a fantastic cook. Her cooking and baking were second to none especially her homemade Italian cookies which were the envy of everyone. Anytime you were a guest at her home you left with a plate of her goodies. Countless times her cookies were at bake sales, funeral luncheons and any festivity her church was involved with. In addition to her church, Priscilla was also very active with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Over the years she put her heart and soul into the organization having held many of the offices where she was longtime Secretary and President. She also was Chairman of the bingo games at the VFW. This led her to become very involved with the New York State Veterans Home. Here she organized the bingo games, took care of putting together the Christmas parties and was a very much a part of the Veterans Day festivities.
In her leisure time when her children were younger she enjoyed loading her family into the car to drive around the countryside on road trips. “ If you don’t want to go, fine, stay home, I’m going anyway.”
In short, Priscilla loved her family, her church, helping others and giving of herself.
Priscilla is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; John (Cathy) DiStefano and children Steven, Jody, Kelly and Allison of Morris, Thomas ( Espie) DiStefano Jr. and children Elsie and Elena of Pompey, Cynthia (Cindy) (John) Tripp of Norwich, Nancy (Mike) Sawyer and children Erica and Justin of Norwich, Joseph DiStefano and children Hope, Ashley and Derek of St. Louis, Michael (Roseann) DiStefano and children Sam and Vinny of Norwich and Mary Ann (Chris) Scheer and children Kayla, Courtney and Ben also of Norwich along with her 9 great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Besides her husband Thomas, Priscilla was predeceased by a daughter Linda DiStefano.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Priscilla will be held on Tuesday at 10 am from St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph A. Bove, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 5-7 pm.
Please consider memorial contributions to St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church or to the Ave Maria/Altar & Rosary Society of St. Bartholomew’s, 75 East Main St. Norwich, NY 13815.