Priscilla "Chris" Osborne

Priscilla "Chris" Osborne
Former Resident of San Jose
Priscilla "Chris" Osborne, former president of the San Jose Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), died of natural causes on May 27 at the Palmdale, California home of her daughter. She was 90 years old.
A graduate of Skidmore College in New York, Chris was also past president of the San Jose Auxiliary to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. She was active for years in both AAUW and the Auxiliary, which raised money for the hospital by operating the Thrift Box store in downtown Willow Glen. After surgery for breast cancer in 1980, she volunteered with Reach for Recovery, helping cancer survivors.
Chris had three children, to whom she devoted a great deal of time and attention. After they left home for college, she served for more than a decade as assistant to the director of admissions and records at San Jose Community College. Among many responsibilities, she produced the annual course catalog.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Chris lived in Willow Glen for 52 years. She was a devoted member of Stone Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and sang in the choir for 17 years.
In addition to her church and volunteer work, Chris was an avid reader, bridge player, and traveler. After they retired, she and her husband Earl Osborne traveled widely, visiting countries from Latin America and Europe to Africa and China. Several times they drove across the U.S. to visit old friends and family. They also enjoyed their cabin at Pinecrest Lake in California, a place she loved dearly.
Chris is widely remembered for her warmth, her leadership, and her organizational abilities. Her friendships bridged generations. She is survived by many dear friends and family, including her three children, Carol Emily Ellsworth, of Palmdale, CA., David Osborne, of Essex, MA., and John Osborne, of Muir Beach, CA, ten grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on June 21st at 3 p.m. at Stone Church, 1108 Clark Way at Lincoln Avenue, in San Jose, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thrift Box, 1362 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125.