Obituary of Priscilla S. McTeigue

Priscilla (Pris) McTeigue, beloved wife of the late T. Somers McTeigue, died Wednesday, April 1 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx after a long illness. She was 88 years old. Born in New York City on Jan. 22, 1932, Pris was the daughter of William T. and Claude Von Phul Smith. The youngest of three children, she grew up primarily in Larchmont, N.Y., where she met her future husband Somers and together raised four children. In later years, she moved to White Plains, N.Y., where she lived until the time of her death. Pris’s second home was Martha’s Vineyard where she cherished summer days of beaching, boating, barbeques with family and friends, and quiet winter evenings quilting by the fireplace at their home on the Lagoon in Vineyard Haven. Pris was artistic and loved working with her hands, and she and Somers shared a passion for crafting, painting, gardening and collecting fine miniatures. Pris and several friends eventually opened and ran an artists collective and gift shop in Larchmont. Brimming with energy and fun finds, it soon became a beloved gathering place for local craftspeople. After the shop closed, her passion for the arts lived on through her hosting of and participation in craft shows. Quilting became an important love, and she completed many heirloom quilts for friends and family as well as major projects in which she collaborated with her quilting group, to which she was devoted. One of her greatest gifts was her love of people: Pris made friends with young and old, all of whom were easily drawn to her, and it was common for her to become lifelong friends after only a first, brief meeting – everyone she knew was “family.” She entertained often, hosting all sorts of gatherings, and she had a keen sense of humor, loved a good joke and enjoyed creating funny props for her parties and decorating for all the holidays. Pris is survived by her brother Michael Smith of West Palm Beach, FL; sister-in-law Violet Smith of City Island, NY; daughters Priscilla (Pam) McTeigue Carelli and her husband Lloyd Lateiner, M.D., of Martha’s Vineyard and Bernardsville, NJ; Jane McTeigue and her husband Ken Neagle, and Annie McTeigue Parr, of Martha’s Vineyard; her son Tom McTeigue of White Plains, NY; daughter-in-law Lee McTeigue of Hartsdale, NY, grandchildren Melissa Hart, Lauren Dreier, Nina Carelli, Sadie May Parr, Will McTeigue and Reese McTeigue, as well as two great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, and relatives. All were loved deeply by Pris. The family is grateful to all those who took care of her in her later years, especially caregivers Daya and Marilyn, Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester and the entire staff at Calvary Hospital. A celebration of Priscilla’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester, Calvary Hospital or a charity of your choice.