Priscilla Coy Hynson

Priscilla Coy Hynson, 73, a native of Washington, D.C., died September 1, 2004 due to complications following heart surgery at Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Dr. Hynson was a respected teacher and Professor Emerita in the Department of Art Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Thornton Hynson VII and Priscilla Coy Swartzell. Ms. Hynson attended Mrs. Cook's School and other schools in Washington, D.C., and Lowell, Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's degree in Art and French from East Carolina University, a master's degree in Sculpture and a doctorate in Education from the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, with related areas in Art Education. In the fifties and early sixties, Ms. Hynson taught at the Norfolk Public Schools. Under the Fullbright Program she taught in a woman's college in Leiden, the Netherlands. In 1965, she joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. She returned to Virginia in 1967 to accept a position at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), where she was a faculty member in the Art Education Department for 30 years. On January 11, 1996, she received the School of the Arts Distinguished Achievement in Teaching Award. Since retiring, Ms. Hynson has taught courses through VCU's Commonwealth Society Program. Ms. Hynson was involved in many activities. A lifelong Episcopalian, she was a very active member of several Episcopal congregations in Richmond, and sang with the St. James-St. Paul's Choral Society. She was a member of the Woman's Club and the National Society of Colonial Dames in America. One of her professional colleagues, Alan Landis, said, "Dr. Hynson's enthusiasm, knowledge and teaching methods involving the related arts were legendary among the multitude of students who were fortunate enough to have experienced Priscilla Hynson as their teacher and mentor". Survivors include one brother, The Venerable Canon Nathaniel Hynson; a sister-in-law, Marianna Howell Hynson; two nieces, Priscilla Hynson McConnell and Marianna Hynson Maximiano; a great-niece and three great-nephews. Dr. Priscilla Hynson is remembered by her many friends who loved her dearly and who will find life much less fun and interesting without her. A burial service will be conducted on Friday, September 10, in the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Lawrence W. Mason. Friends may gather in the funeral home parlor with Priscilla's family beginning at 1 p.m. Interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery. The members of the congregation are invited to accompany the family to the interment. Dr. Hynson requested that memorial contributions be made to the Virginia Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, 3805 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230.