Petronilla "Priscilla" Walsh Obituary (1928 - 2017)

Portland- Petronilla "Priscilla" Walsh, 89, of West Kidder Street, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Maine Medical Center following a brief illness, her loving daughters and grandchildren were by her side. Priscilla was born in Portland on June 15, 1928, the daughter of the late John W. and Marietta DiPietrantonio. As a young woman, Priscilla's parents instilled in her the importance of hard work, caring for others, a strong faith, and above all else the unconditional love of family. She emulated these traits and values, with excellence, through her entire life. On June 20, 1948, Priscilla married the love of her life, John J. "Wally" Walsh, at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Portland. Together, Wally and Priscilla made their home and raised their family in Portland. Starting their family, Priscilla stayed at home to care for their three children, and as the children started to grow she went to work part-time in the early sixties at Porteous, Mitchell & Braun. Once the children were all off to school, she went full time at the Congress Street Department store in the domestics department. Quickly developing a reputation for exemplary customer service, people would travel from away to seek out Priscilla's impeccable taste and guidance for finding the right home decor. Her department and home were always maintained to an impeccable standard. A career which spanned more than thirty years, ended with her retirement in 1991. Priscilla balanced her strong work ethic with a love of entertaining family and friends in her home. Her door was always open. She'd prepare and serve Italian Dinners, with an abundance of food, good conversation and plenty of laughter. Every Sunday she would make homemade macaroni and meatballs. Holidays would be filled with the smell of Priscilla's cooking of homemade sauces, gnocchi, and chicken escarole soup with egg breads. Food was the center of every celebration; sit, eat and enjoy each other's company. She was happiest when everyone was gathered around the table. Both the family reunions at Sabbath Day Lake and the ritual of visiting relatives on weekends, were always a high point for Wally and Priscilla. Priscilla and Wally's marriage of more than sixty years could only be described as a perfect partnership. Together they loved to travel to Florida with sisters and brother-in-laws as well as attending many of Wally's Army reunions and maintaining lifelong friendships with his fellow comrades and their families. Together they brought an enormous amount of joy and caring love to others. She was, all during her children's growing years, a very active member of the Mothers Club both at St. Joseph's and Cheverus, volunteering and helping any way she could. She was an avid storyteller and vault of information, able to remember Portland's social history in detail. After the death of her husband in 2008, Priscilla continued to forge on making new routines while maintaining old traditions. Walking the boulevard with her sister Anna was a daily ritual, so much so that a bench was placed on the walking path in their honor with a plaque that reads "The walking DiPietro sisters". Attending daily Mass at St. Pius X Church was a very important part of her life, as well as staying active with church activities. The biggest joy of her life, hands down, was her two grandchildren Kristina and Joshua. She always made time for them, and would put their needs ahead of hers. A grandmother's love is something that is unmatched, and "Nuna" aka "Naner" always expressed her love for them. Priscilla was many things to many people. Her legacy of selflessness, loving, caring, kindness for others, commitment to family and friends, and her deep faith will live on through generations to come. She instilled her values in her family and in turn they will pass on those same values to their family. A good listener, her gentle manner, attentive personality, and her ability to always be present with those she was with, will provide lasting memories for everyone who knew her. Priscilla was predeceased by her husband John J. Walsh Sr. in 2008; a son John J. Walsh Jr. in 1969; three sisters Doris Capozza, Josephine Addario, and Eleanor Hanka; brother in laws Joseph Addario, Harold Hight, and Kont Hanka; and son in law Joseph Vitaliano. She is survived by two daughters Norah J. Vitaliano of Portland, Cynthia A. and her husband Michael Loring of Portland; two grandchildren Kristina M. Loring of CA and Joshua M. Loring of NY; two sisters Phyllis and her husband Anthony Mancini of Portland and Anna Hight of Portland; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours celebrating Priscilla's life will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2017 from 2:00 to 6:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 10:15am followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Priscilla's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Priscilla's memory to: Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside Street, Portland, ME 04103