PRISCILLA A. HERNE "KWAWIHON"

AKWESASNE – Priscilla A. Herne "Kwawihon", 84, of 1481 State Route 37, peacefully passed away Sunday morning, January 12, 2020 in her home surrounded by her family.

Priscilla was born on August 29, 1935, the daughter of the late Anabel Billings. She attended St. Regis Mohawk School and Bombay High School. On May 14, 1955, she married Larry J. Herne. He predeceased her on December 2, 1985.

Priscilla dedicated her life to taking care of her children and loving husband. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing Bingo every Tuesday night, mowing her lawn, working in her garden, sewing, and doing her puzzles while watching her soaps. She also collected souvenir spoons from wherever her family traveled to. She worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural letter carrier until her retirement in 2001.

She is survived by her seven children, Phillip (Lila) Herne of Florida; Valerie (Larry) Mitchell of Bombay; Sandra Benedict (Jerome McDonald) of Akwesasne; Maggie Herne of Akwesasne; Vincent (Louise) Herne of Akwesasne; Wade Herne of Akwesasne; and Leslie (Kelly) Herne of Akwesasne; 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Tarbell of Akwesasne, her brother, Iokwiratekha (Butch) Conners of Akwesasne; sisters-in-law, Patricia Pitts and Marie Casey; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her mother and her husband, she was predeceased by an infant great grandson, Blake Thomas Peters in 2010; a brother, Daniel Billings on April 1, 1997; a daughter-in-law, Stella Jacobs-Herne on December 27, 2016; her sisters-in-law, Rita Swamp and Millie Thompson; and her brothers-in-law, Earl and Robert Herne and William Pitts.

Friends are invited to call at her home, 1481 State Route 37, beginning at 9:00 AM Thursday until Friday 11:00 AM when her funeral service will be held at the home.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider donations to the Hogansburg/Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.