Surrounded by her devoted family, Lorna Priestley passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Peabody, Massachusetts, at the extraordinary age of 104. Her long life was marked by resilience, warmth, and an unwavering love for those closest to her, leaving behind a legacy cherished by all who knew her.

Lorna Bernice Hanselman Priestley was born November 13, 1921, in Edwardsville, Illinois at the home of her parents, William and Mary (Laux) Hanselman, their first born. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Gilbert P. Priestley, her granddaughter, Sandy Burkart, and her sister, Marion Hanselman Mahoney.

Lorna is survived by her loving children, Robert R. Priestley and his wife, Dorothy of Pocasset, Massachusetts; Gil Priestley and his wife Sally of New Hampshire; Thomas Priestley and his partner Leonard Laguna of Pasadena, California; Edward Priestley and his wife Lorraine of Melrose, Massachusetts; Jennifer O’Malley and her husband Clement of Hampton, New Hampshire; and Laurie Ford and her husband, Larry of Oakley, California; and by her brother, William Hanselman of Edwardsville, Illinois. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Robert F. Priestley, Amy Roy, Ed Priestley, Catherine Priestley, Anne Priestley, Kerri Maher, Katie Priestley, Rick McConologue, Christine O’Malley, Mike O’Malley, Melissa O’Malley, Colleen Ford, Kelly Ford; and her great grandchildren, Alyssa Burkart, Sarah Burkart, Yoseph Priestley, Genevieve Roy, Grant Roy, Amelie Roy, Nathaniel Roy, Brianna Collette, Brady Collette, Christopher Jones, and Malcolm McCarthy.

Lorna grew up in Wood River, Illinois, and graduated from high school at 16. She earned a degree in home economics (nutrition, food chemistry, sanitation, and household management) from the University of Illinois where she met her husband, Gil Priestley, also a student there. In 1942 Lorna and Gil were married in Champaign, Illinois and lived in that state, Washington State and California during Gil’s Army days. They settled in Melrose, Massachusetts where they raised their family on Union Street and later moved to First Street.

Lorna was a tireless mother who liked to say she never sat down during the years she was raising her six children. As a stay‑at‑home mom, she never learned to drive—until, at 40, she decided it was time. She saved enough for five driving lessons, passed the test, and then saved again by substitute teaching until she could buy herself a small car. She was never a particularly confident driver, but she made it where she needed to go, including to her graduate classes. At 56, she proudly earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Salem State University in 1976 and went on to teach Remedial Reading and Great Books in the Melrose Public Schools.

Long‑time summer residents of Frye Island, Maine, she and her late husband, Gil, treasured their lakeside home and especially loved golfing together. She joined Mahjong and book clubs, building deep friendships that became a cherished part of island life. Their home was a gathering place for family vacations filled with swimming in the lake, porch conversations overlooking the woods and water, and spirited games. Generations enjoyed her well‑loved collection of board games, but the reigning favorite—on rainy days and late into the evenings—was the domino game “Chicken Foot,” which she taught to everyone and which sparked fierce, joyful competition across all ages. She and Gil explored the island by golf cart, and she happily picked blueberries with anyone willing to tag along. She adored the small Maine blueberries and baked them into irresistible pies, muffins and pancakes. A trip to Freeport for outlet shopping was always a highlight she looked forward to.

She and Gil traveled across the US and began European travel when their son, Bob, was stationed in Frankfurt and, a couple of years later, another son, Tom, was living in Paris. She and Gil also vacationed at golf courses with her sister and brother-in-law at Myrtle Beach and Arizona, a tradition she and her sister continued after losing their spouses.

Lorna scored a hole‑in‑one in Scottsdale at the remarkable age of 86. She often said she wished it had happened while Gil was still alive—he had never managed one himself, and she would loved to have seen the look on his face.

She was an excellent seamstress and made clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren. She was a fashionable dresser who appreciated quality workmanship and purchased only well-made clothing, always at a hefty discount and often at Filene’s Basement, scouring ad pages for the best sales. She even braided rugs to furnish her house.

She learned quilting from her grandmother and continued the art for decades, making several hundred masterpieces for family and friends on milestones like births, marriages and graduations and for holiday gifts. She donated some for fundraisers. One Christmas Lorna amazingly completed six very large, bed-sized quilts, one for each of her children and their spouses. She loved color, especially blue, which she incorporated into many of her quilt creations.

She was a wonderful cook, the kind who rose before dawn to get the holiday turkey into the oven and fill the house with the aromas of bubbling vegetable casseroles and freshly baked treats her family devoured with delight. By the time everyone gathered, the living room would be joyfully transformed—wrapping paper everywhere, gifts piled high, and the happy chaos that marked her favorite days of the year.

Throughout her life, she made the best of situations. When Melrose High School was expanding and tearing down houses across from their home, she convinced Gil to move to a lovely house on the other side of town.

After losing her husband, she grew even stronger and more independent. With that newfound strength, she discovered financial confidence, spread her wings, and fully embraced a life centered on friends, family, and new experiences. She traveled, explored, and welcomed fun and adventure wherever she found it.

On one trip to Italy with a close friend, she fell and broke her shoulder. Unable to manage buttons or zippers, she spent the rest of the trip wearing a single pair of pull‑up slacks—the only pants she could get on. It went completely against her love of being well dressed, but she carried on with humor and grace, determined not to let anything dim her spirit.

Lorna sold their house and moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody when she was in her 80’s and stayed for the rest of her life. While there she was active in table tennis and Mahjong. She became a formidable Scrabble player, delighting in deploying obscure, high‑value little words most opponents had never encountered. She made many friends, all of whom she outlived. While she was still able to see, she utilized the Internet well into her 90’s - keeping in touch with friends and family via emails and her Facebook page. She shopped online. She continued to create her lovely quilts until her eyesight prevented it. When she lost most of her sight, she coped by using shadows to guide her walking.

If life brought challenges, she met them with courage and grace, always finding a way through. She was a breast cancer survivor whose strength inspired everyone who knew her. She had a playful sense of humor, along with a sharp mind, deep determination, and quiet resourcefulness. She lived a full and happy life and leaves behind a devoted family who will always be inspired by her love and profoundly grateful for the gift of having known her.

Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at the Gately Funeral Home, 75 West Foster Street, Melrose on Friday, May 29, from 8:30 to 11:00 am.

Services will be held at 11:30 am at Incarnation Church, 429 Upham Street, Melrose following visiting hours. Interment will be at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan Street, Melrose. A reception will be held at Mount Hood Golf Course Clubhouse, 100 Slayton Road, Melrose, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gil Priestley Memorial Scholarship at Melrose High School, or to Trenton Cemetery, Trenton, Illinois, Trenton Cemetery Association, PO BOX 55, Trenton, IL 62293-0055; or to Brooksby Village Scholarship Fund.