PRISCILLA MAE (STEARNS) BRYANT CHAVARIE

EAST WINTHROP – Priscilla Mae (Stearns) Bryant Chavarie passed peacefully Sunday, June 27, 2010. Born Jan. 19, 1922, on Paris Hill, Paris, Maine, she was the daughter of Alexander Thayer Stearns and Elizabeth Mae Flagg Stearns. Priscilla was an avid mineralogist throughout her life and opened her first mineral shop at age 16. Later in life she established Winthrop Mineral Shop, which she maintained until her death. She was a founding member of Kennebec Rocks and Minerals Club, which held its first meetings in her kitchen. She held various officer positions for the club over the years and remained an honorary member and advisor. She was a 75-year member of the grange, belonging to Winthrop Grange No. 209 and an honorary member of Oxford Pomona Grange No. 2, at the time of her death. She had held various offices in the Winthrop and Oxford Pomona granges, as well as Paris Grange No. 44 and Buckfield Grange No. 438, and was a very active member in her younger years. She started, and for many years advised, the “So-We-Sew” 4-H Club of Winthrop, holding meetings and sewing classes in her home and organizing the youth club activities. With her husband, Stearns, Priscilla founded United Cerebral Palsy Association of Mid-State Maine, where in its early years, she served as an officer. She was instrumental in the association, establishing a school for children with various disabilities. This school is now known as The Children’s Center, and continues to serve children by giving them and their families the skills necessary to integrate into the community. Priscilla was a graduate of Bliss College. She loved to travel throughout the U.S. She was a crafts woman, having shown her talents as a copper and pewter worker, jeweler and artist. She was an active member of East Winthrop Baptist Church for many years, and for a period of time, managed the Sunday school. She was also an eager member of Loyal Daughters Club, affiliated with that church. She loved to arrange “mystery rides” for the members, ending with lunch together somewhere in the state of Maine. In later years, she enjoyed the camaraderie of Manchester Community Church. Priscilla loved to share her knowledge and enthusiasm of the uniqueness and beauty of minerals with all who expressed an interest. She freely shared her expertise and experiences with visitors to her shop, schools throughout the area and mineral shows around the country. She easily made lasting friendships. Priscilla is survived by her husband of 34 years, Levi “Sonny” Chavarie. She is also survived by her four children, Stearns J. Bryant Jr. and wife, Ruth, Breeta Littlefield and husband, John, Anne Rokeach and husband, Peter, and Mary Nguyen and husband, Douglas; eight grandchildren, Jenny Harrington, Geoffrey Littlefield, Jack Bryant, Ryan Littlefield, Jason Rokeach, David Bryant, David Rokeach and Beth Bryant; one great-grandson, Justin Littlefield; and one special stepson, Kurt Chavarie. She was predeceased by her first husband, Stearns J. Bryant, in 1973, having been married for 31 years. The family expresses gratitude to all of the wonderful staff at Gray Birch Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center for their compassionate care in Priscilla’s final days; to the doctors and nurses at the cardiac unit of Maine Medical Center, Portland; and special thanks to Dr. John Love for his devotion and attention to her throughout the years. A celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Manchester Community Church, Manchester. A gathering for family and friends will be after the service. A private family interment will be held Sunday, July 11, at Buckfield Cemetery. If desired, donations in memory of Priscilla may be made to The Children’s Center, One Alden Ave., Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are by Knowlton, Hewins, Roberts Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. Flowers may be sent to this address. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.khrfuneralhomes.com.