New London, New Hampshire
1924 - 2020 (Age 95)
Priscilla Ohler was born August 19, 1924 in Providence, RI to Edward A. and Ruth (Blanchard) White and had two sisters, Barbara (White) Haddad and Deborah White, both deceased. She attended Bates College in Lewiston, ME and in 1946 met her husband, Dr. John Henry Ohler (d. 2011) on a blind date. They were married later that year. John and Priscilla moved to New London in 1953. She died at her New London home on March 16, 2020.
Priscilla was a strong advocate for all children. She served on the board of the Concord Mental Health Center (now called Riverbend) and was a Spaulding Youth Center board member and chairman. She also served on New London's Juvenile Diversionary Committee. She and her family hosted three foreign exchange students through the AFS student exchange program and provided a summer home for inner-city low-income children through the Fresh Air Fund. The Ohler home was known for its abundant supply of children, ponies and golden retrievers. It was also a welcoming home where local teens found compassion and stability.
Priscilla was a member of the Society of Friends and attended St. Andrews Episcopal Church with her family. She was a prolific volunteer, serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals; the building committee for the New London High School addition; serving as chairman of the building committee for the first addition to Whipple Memorial Town Hall; and chairing the Hospital Day rummage sale for many years. She was a member and former president of the New London Garden Club; a member and former president of the New London PTA; a member and former president of the Kearsarge/Sunapee area League of Women Voters; a member and former president of the New London Hospital Auxiliary; a member of the board of NH Habitat for Humanity, and on the selection committee for the Kearsarge/Sunapee Area Habitat chapter. Priscilla was a director of Lake Sunapee Bank and was the first woman to be appointed as a director of NH Thrift Bancshares.
In 2005, Priscilla and John were awarded the New London Service Organization's Third of a Century Award. The award was established in 1962 to recognize those who have lived and worked in New London for at least 33 years and made "notable contributions to the town's good name."
Priscilla lived her life with a strong regard for fairness and justice and worked on many community projects which helped people and families in need. She and John had a long and remarkable marriage of love, laughter and strong family and community connections. Priscilla is survived by her six children, Deborah Ohler Hinman, Susan Ohler Bliss, Jennifer Ohler and her husband Robert Bower, Jonathan Ohler and his wife Joan Schwartz, Peter Ohler, and Rebecca Ohler and her husband Doug Pomeroy; her eight grandchildren, Thatcher, Gwen and Peter Hinman, Sadie and Eli Bliss, Abigail and Sam Bower, and Nathan Ohler; four great grandchildren, Marvin, Juno Priscilla, Harper and Knox; and many nieces and nephews in the White, Haddad, Ohler and Thompson families.
A service to celebrate Priscilla's life will be scheduled at St. Andrews Episcopal Church at a later date due to the current world health emergency. In lieu of flowers or food the family welcomes contributions in her name to Habitat for Humanity of the Kearsarge/Sunapee Area.
To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.
So sad to see the news of Mrs. Ohler. I have so many wonderful memories of Mrs. and Dr. Ohler at the White's house growing up. Such special people. Thoughts are with the Ohler family.
Deb Collinson Packard
April 13, 2020 | Falmouth, MA | Friend
So sorry to learn of Priscilla's passing. She and John were the stalwarts of medicine in New London. It's nice to see so many familiar names offering their memories. Susan and I send our sympathy to the entire Ohler family.
Fran Evans, MD
Francis Evans
April 02, 2020 | Palm Coast, FL | Coworker
My deep sympathy to the family of Priscilla Ohler. She was a bundle of energy no matter what she was working on or doing at that time. I don't think she ever refused anything asked of her. I'm so happy I was able to spend time with Priscilla
last August sitting outside that huge garage! Always a when she came into Dr John's office. With sadness
June Dougherty Feeley
June Feeley
March 31, 2020 | Port Orange, FL | Friend
Thinking of all of you!! She was a gem......... love, Nan
Nancy Young
March 31, 2020 | Warner, NH | Friend
Our parents, Franny and Marsh Hoke, shared many times of special friendship with Priscilla and John over the years, and we all came to know them well - from hikes, sailing excursions and other events. They were both always fun to be with with each a charm all their own. We're thinking of you as you miss them and remember. Margie Hoke Riddle
Bob Riddle
March 28, 2020 | Leeds, MA | Friend
Becky, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I remember her at one of our events that we had here at work. She was so proud of you. Sounds like she did so much in her life. Prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. Sharon C.
March 25, 2020
Our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Ohler family. Your Mom (grandmother) was the other half of a very special team sering all in the New London/Kearsarge region. Thank you Priscilla for your kind selflessness and genuine caring for all of us who have lived along-side you. You have always been a person to love and admire.
Peggy and Steve Kiernan Theroux
March 25, 2020 | New London, NH | Friend
My mother-in-law, Bette Taylor, remembers what a kind woman Priscilla was, how she did so much for the community, and was always ready to help children in need. Our condolences to the family.
Claudia Istel
March 23, 2020 | South Acworth, NH | Friend
Priscilla was a mentor for me. We met through LWV, and she introduced me to Spaulding Youth Center where we worked on the board together for years.
I'll miss her energy and smile, and her good sense.
Barbara Zeckhausen
March 23, 2020 | Laconia, NH
