Dr. Priscilla (Stevens) Kotyk

Dr. Priscilla (Stevens) Kotyk, age 71, of Swansea, formerly of Acton, Massachusetts, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024 at Charlton Memorial Hospital after a year long battle with cancer (angiosarcoma). She was the wife of John A. Kotyk to whom she was married for 44 years.

Born in Portland, Maine, a daughter of the late Woodrow and Flora (Warren) Stevens, she spent her youth in South Portland and lived in Acton for many years prior to moving to Swansea four years ago.

After graduating from South Portland High School, Class of 1971, she studied in Germany as an exchange student, knowing no German upon arrival, and her host family speaking no English. Within months she could speak the language and cherished her year in Germany as one of her most formative experiences and continued her German education throughout her life.

Priscilla received her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from Lesley University in Cambridge and later her Master’s degree and PhD in Educational Technology, also from her alma mater.

After settling in Acton and starting a family, she began a lifelong connection to the school district and community. One of her favorite experiences was hosting exchange students with her family. Over about a decade they welcomed visitors from Germany, Slovenia, Austria, England, Japan, Spain, and Russia, many of whom are still considered part of the family, especially Anna Popova who Priscilla cherished like a daughter. She also helped expand the family with her love for dogs, over the years welcoming Basset hounds Dudley, Monty, and Benny to the family.

With her family Priscilla shared her love of crafts and hobbies. She sewed many clothes, Halloween costumes, and quilts for her children, grandchildren, and friends. She would also knit caps for new borns, hats, scarfs, sweaters, and jackets seemingly around clock. Through her passion for other cultures, Priscilla learned and excelled in Pysanka, an Easter tradition of Slavic egg decorating, which she learned through her late mother-in-law. Priscilla also enjoyed mystery novels, crime dramas, yoga, walking, hiking, theater, and helped inspire a love of music in her children playing the piano.

Priscilla retired as Assistant Principal from Gates Elementary School in Acton, Massachusetts in 2020 to enthusiastically become full-time caretaker for her grandchildren. Prior to that, she worked as the Director of Technology for the Acton Boxborough Regional School System. She was an active member of the Massachusetts C.U.E. After retirement, she enjoyed playing bridge in a league with retired teachers. She was a wonderful cook and carried on many family recipes and traditions through the kitchen.

Her favorite times were spent with her family and grandchildren whom she adored.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Nicholas Kotyk and his wife Amanda of New Haven, CT, Christopher Kotyk and his wife Juliet of Barrington, RI; two brothers, Clifford Stevens and his wife Cindy of Helena, MT, and Kenneth Stevens and his wife Lynn of Grafton, MA; two grandchildren Layla and Emmett Kotyk. She was a step sister of the late Ramona Wing of Belfast, ME.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 12:00 pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends invited. Visitation will be held prior to her service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Contributions in her honor may be made to the AFS-USA, the organization that sponsored Priscilla's travel abroad experience (www.afsusa.org/donate). Burial private.