Priscilla (Johnston) Carroll Ward

Priscilla (Johnston) Carroll Ward, 87, of East Hartford, wife of the late John A. Ward and the late Bernard E. Carroll, passed away peacefully to enter into eternal life surrounded by her loving family on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Rockville on May 3, 1929, a daughter of the late Patrick J. and Josephine (Walsh) Johnston, she had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 58 years. Priscilla attended St. Bernard’s School, Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School, Class of 1946. She began her working career as a Teller at Connecticut Bank and Trust Company and later went to work for Aetna Insurance Company where she retired as an Employee Benefits Specialist after 30 years of dedicated service. Priscilla was a past Secretary of the Mother’s Club of Hartford in 1951; a member and past President of the East Hartford Women’s Club; and a member and past President for five years of the East Hartford Garden Club. A devout Catholic, Priscilla was very devoted to Our Lady of Peace Church in East Hartford and to her Pastor and friend, Rev. James Nock. At the church, Priscilla enjoyed being a Eucharistic Minister and active in the church Retirees Club from its inception. She liked organizing the Easter and Thanksgiving food baskets, planting the flowers outside around the church building, arranging the Easter and Christmas flowers on the altar, and organizing receptions downstairs in the hall for special occasions. A talented seamstress and knitter, Priscilla also made all the costumes for the Christmas Pageants at the church and cloths for the altar and other tables in the church.

Priscilla is survived by her four devoted children, James E. Carroll of Enfield, Michael E. Carroll of East Hampton, Patrick J. Carroll of Vernon, Susan A. Carroll-Baxter and her husband, Gary Baxter, of Willington. She also leaves two grandchildren, Daniel P. Carroll of Willimantic, Audrey C. Carroll of Fairfield; a step-daughter, Denise Durfee of Enfield and her children; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. In addition to her beloved parents and husbands, Priscilla was predeceased by a daughter, Terry Ann Carroll of Columbia, SC.

Funeral service will be Saturday (March 18th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford. At the request of Priscilla’s family, everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Saturday morning. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may call at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Friday (March 17th) from 4 -7 pm. Memorial contributions in Priscilla’s name may be made to Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, East Hartford, CT 06118. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.