Priscilla Carroll Cushing Giles

Priscilla C. Giles, passed away on Thursday April 14, 2022 in Concord, NH at the age of 94. Priscilla was born in Arlington, MA in 1927 and lived in Somerville, MA during her younger years. Priscilla was the daughter of Earl and Lillian Cushing. When Priscilla was in Jr. High School she moved with her parents to Woodsville, NH since her Dad, a train master with the Boston & Maine RR, had been transferred to “the sticks” of NH. This traumatic move for young Priscilla ended up providing her with a new loving community and many lifelong friends. Partway through High School, Priscilla’s Dad was transferred to Concord, NH where Priscilla started over in another new community. Concord would become the place she would always call home. After graduating from Concord High School in 1945, she then attended UNH, receiving a BA in Music Education in 1949. Following graduation, Priscilla taught music, grades 1-12 (including a one room schoolhouse assignment) for one year in Ludlow, Vt. “A challenge not found in the education textbooks!”

In 1950 Priscilla married Paul T. Giles and they settled in Concord where Paul became an established area music teacher. It is from this point forward that Priscilla became a strong, vocal committee of one, promoting Paul’s music activities and in particular, the historic Nevers’ 2nd Regt. Band. Because Paul was always at Nevers’ rehearsals, Priscilla decided to join the band in 1952 saying, “If you can’t beat ‘em… join ‘em!” She was one of the longest playing members of the band, retiring after 63 years in 2015 at age 87.

Priscilla began her drum “career” in Jr. High School (quite progressive for a gal in the 1940’s).

Once Priscilla’s children came along, her passion became raising and cheering on Deborah and Douglas and embracing her 3 older step-sons, David, Ronnie & Norman and their young families. After Debbie & Doug graduated from High School, Priscilla took many classes to become a Learning Disabilities Specialist for the Concord School District teaching at Eastman, Dame and Broken Ground Schools. She was one of the founders of Concord’s LD program, helping sculpt this new concept in education. She remained with the program for 22 years before retiring in 1992.

Priscilla’s sense of duty was as large as her love for the organizations she served and if you were volunteering with her, she expected the same dedication from you! She was a Girl Scout leader (Troop 70), longtime Sec/Treas. of South Church Madisses women’s circle, a member of South Congregational Church for 65 years, held positions of Sec/Treas and President of the Concord Federation of Musicians Union Local 374, Secretary of the Clough Pond Association, a Clough Pond Lake Host (educating boaters to the dangers of invasive species) and she volunteered at the Bektash Fez-tival of Trees. She taught swimming at Hannah Dustin Girl Scout Day Camp (Bear Brook State Park), played drums in the pit orchestra of many Concord Community Players productions, and subbed frequently with the NH Philharmonic Orchestra.

Priscilla was a serious person with a huge sense of duty but she loved to have fun with her “Bridge Girls” whom she held close and loved throughout her life. She loved her trips to Aruba with Paul. She couldn’t wait to be with friends and family on roller coasters, amusement parks, the bowling league, outdoor concerts, Red Sox games, Church Senior Group outings, Bektash Shrine events, Shrine trips and parades, and at the Clough Pond camp she helped Paul build in 1962.

Priscilla is survived by her daughter Debbie Lincoln (Earl), son Doug Giles (Marjorie), nieces Judy Signor, Kristie Signor Krebs, daughter in law Sandra Giles, grandchildren Alan Giles, Donna Ayoub, Tom Giles, Laurie Belanger, Wendy Cook, many great grandchildren and now great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Paul T. Giles, sister Edith Signor, brother Jack Cushing, step son Norman Giles, step son Ronald Giles, step son David Giles and grandson Danny Giles.

Priscilla’s family would like to thank her dear friends Denise Doucette and Sarah Mancini for helping with Priscilla’s home care and becoming part of her extended family. The family would also like to thank the entire staff of the Havenwood Health Services Center for endearing themselves to Priscilla, making her life comfortable, laughing at her one liners and supporting her beloved family.

To honor Priscilla and perpetuate her love for the Nevers’ Band, memorial donations may be made to:

Nevers’ Band

PO Box 173

Gilmanton, NH 03237

Funeral Services will be held Sunday May 1, 2022 2:00pm at South Congregational Church, 27 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301 A reception will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall following the service.

The graveside service is open to all and will take place Monday, May 2, 2022 at 1:00pm at St. Paul’s School Cemetery, 325 Pleasant St., Concord, NH.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bennettfuneral.com for the Giles family.