Priscilla Emery Bissel 84, of Apopka FL and Jackson NH, passed away on Sept. 26, 2002, after a brief illness.
Born in Portsmouth, Mrs. Bissell was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Durham. Upon graduation, she was sworn in as the first female officer from New England in the newly formed Women’s Army Corps, and served with distinction through the end of World War II.
Shortly after her marriage to Lewis Prouty Bissell, the couple moved to Brewer, Maine, where she was active in civic affairs and volunteer activities. She was a member of the Girl Scouts of America for 76 years. She devoted much of her time to working with girls and young women, encouraging their growth as strong, independent individuals.
After her own daughters were grown, she returned to college, earning a master’s degree in library science from the University of Maine, Orono. From that time forward, Mrs. Bissell served as librarian at the university and in the Bangor, Maine, area schools.
After retirement to Jackson with her husband, Mrs. Bissell served as the Jackson town librarian, not retiring from that post until age 78. Her love of the written word and her deep desire to serve others were evident to all who met her.
She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Piscataqua Pioneers, a number of historical societies, the Jackson Sewing Club, the Old Hutman’s Association, the Mount Washington Observatory, and the Literacy League. She was predeceased by her husband. She is survived by her daughters, Sue Beechum of Apopka, Fla., and Nancy Rancourt of Bartlett.