Priscilla Thorndike Francis

PROVINCETOWN —

Priscilla Thorndike Francis, age 90, of Provincetown, formerly of Orleans and Yarmouthport, died unexpectedly Friday, July 4, 2008, at her home at Seashore Point in Provincetown.

Born in Millis on Oct. 26, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Richard King Thorndike and Florence (Macy) Thorndike White. Mrs. Francis was the wife of the late Pete Francis, who died in September of 2004. While living in Millis, she attended The Charles River School in Dover and the Winsor School in Boston.

In 1943, she and her husband were married while he was serving in the Navy. They lived in various locations, including Austin and Port Arthur, Texas, and finally settling in Bryn Mawr, Pa. In 1975, they moved to Yarmouthport to be closer to their daughter, Priscilla Jackett ,of Provincetown. After her husband died, Mrs. Francis moved to Orleans, where she remained until moving last month to Seashore Point in Provincetown.

During her years in Bryn Mawr, she was employed as a school secretary at the Booth school in Rosemont, Pa., the school that her two children attended at that time.

Other than her devotion to her family, she and her husband were passionate about their gardens at their home in Yarmouthport. She was also a talented singer who sang in the USO during World War II and later at Tanglewood.

In addition to her daughter, Priscilla, she is survived by Priscilla's husband, Anthony Jackett, of Provincetown; a son, Peter T. Francis, and his wife, Susan, of Woodstock, Md.; two grandsons, Duffy Francis and his wife, Allison Francis, of Baltimore, Md., and Cameron Francis and his wife, Beth Francis, of Gainesville, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, Chase and Zoe Francis of Baltimore and Gianna Francis of Gainesville. She was the sister of Cynthia Thackara of Laguna Beach, Calif., and the aunt of several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late G. Quincy Thorndike and Richard K. Thorndike.

Her family has scheduled a memorial service for Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 1 p.m., to be held at St. Mary of the Harbor Church, 517 Commercial St., Provincetown.

If desired, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Heifer Project International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, or to www.Heifer.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Gately McHoul Funeral Home of Provincetown.