I met Priscilla at Central Michigan University when she became my roommate and we began a friendship that lasted over 30 years. She was the sister I never had and we were inseparable. Over the years Iâ??ve learned so many things about Pris. After mistaking a dead rat for a squirrel, I realized she wasnâ??t the â??outdoorsy-typeâ? and felt more at home in a city setting. She loved Star Trek as much as I did and went to a convention with me to see DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy). She had a quirky sense of humor when it came to dealing with grief that proved laughter was the best medicine. Pris helped me to develop an appreciation for classical music and I introduced her to â??Dexterâ?. She was meticulous with her craft, whether it was editing her film for days on end or creating a piece of mixed media art. She was passionate, loyal and could easily defend her beliefs. Priscilla was a highly-driven overachiever who earned a Ph.D., published numerous professional articles and seemed to always garner high praise from her colleagues and students alike. I was so proud of her.Distance didnâ??t affect our friendship when she moved out of state, we made sure to stay in touch and visited each other whenever possible. A couple of those visits turned into fond memories. The â??Great East Coast Blackoutâ? demonstrated her focus on priorities. After the power went out when we were in town shopping, I wanted to stop at the gas station to get gas and supplies before heading back to the hotel. I picked up peanut butter, bread and water. Priscilla got a carton of cigarettes and a 6-pack of Mountain Dew;) Then there was the â??Two Chicks in a Truckâ? 10-hour adventure from Detroit to Waukesha in a Ryder truck that nearly ended in disaster when she almost took out a pump at the gas station on her turn to drive.I am going to miss her husky laughter, her greeting on the phone of â??Hey, Beeneâ?, seeing her excitement and pride as she mastered a new art technique, our banter that usually ended in gut-splitting laughter and picking up half-empty Mountain Dew cans after her visits.She always ended our phone conversations with â??Do you still love me?â? Yes, Pris. I still love youâ?¦and always will. Rest in peace my dear sweet sister. See you in heaven.
