Lois M. Pheasey Priester

Lois M. (Pheasey) Priester, 80, of 1012 Skyline Drive, Lancaster, died at Hospice & Community Care in Mount Joy on Thursday, October 20, 2016 after a three-and-a-half year battle with cancer. She was the wife of William B. Priester, with whom she celebrated 57 years of marriage in September. The daughter of the late Leonard and Dolly (Stephens) Pheasey, she was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, before moving to Lancaster in 1959. She was a 1954 graduate of Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver and earned her nursing degree from St. Paul’s Hospital there three years later. Lois began her nursing career at Prince George Regional Hospital in northern British Columbia, and worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster, now Lancaster Regional Medical Center, before retiring from St. Anne’s Retirement Community near Columbia in 2003. During her decades as a nurse, she was instrumental in early HIV and AIDS education efforts with the American Red Cross Lancaster chapter. She also worked as a private-duty nurse. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster. Lois loved to travel and lived to spend time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for her infectious laugh, chocolate-chip cookies and a unique way of saying “I love you.” She enjoyed gin-and-tonics, Penn State football and the Blue Band. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a sister, Lena M. Kerr-Fisher, of Summerland, British Columbia; three children, Joseph, the husband of Bonnie (Balfour) Priester, of Indialantic, Florida; David, the husband of Lisa (Cooney) Priester, of Lititz; and Catherine Murse, the wife of Tom Murse, also of Lancaster; seven grandchildren, Julie Davila, wife of Michael Davila, of Melbourne, Florida; Rachel Priester, of Austin, Texas; Alexandra and Austin Priester, of Lititz; and Hillary, Caroline and Brody Murse, all of Lancaster; two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Jack Davila, both of Melbourne, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard M. Pheasey. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lois’ Memorial Service on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA. The family will receive friends at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment in St. James Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in Lois’ name may be made to the Lancaster Cancer Center, 1858 Charter Lane, Suite 202, Greenfield Industrial Park, P.O. Box 10396, Lancaster, PA 17605-0396.