Priscilla M Thomassen

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lifelong Eltingville resident Priscilla M. Thomassen, 70, a former teacher and painter whose artwork was a tribute to her Norwegian heritage, died Monday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born Priscilla Lunde, she was a graduate of Tottenville High School.

Mrs. Thomassen was awarded a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York College at Oneonta, where she was a charter member of the sorority Pi Delta Chi.

Mrs. Thomassen was an elementary school teacher for seven years, retiring in 1970. She primarily taught fourth grade at PS 42 and at PS 55, both in Eltingville.

She belonged to the Sons of Norway, Nansen Lodge, Travis.

In her leisure time, Mrs. Thomassen enjoyed knitting and traveling. She also liked Norwegian folk art painting.

Most especially, though, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Mrs. Thomassen attended Zion Lutheran Church, Willowbrook, and served on the first school board for the pre-school there.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Charles; three sons, Karl, Peter and Kenneth; three brothers, Bruce, Stewart and Steven; a sister, Paula Eggleston, and five grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills. Arrangements include cremation.