Obituary for Priscilla Bromaghim (March)
Priscilla (March) Bromaghim was born on January 19, 1919 to Mildred Minette
(Vaupel) March and Charles Newton March of Otis Street in Medford, MA. She
joined older sister Barbara and was followed by Claire, Richard and Diana. She
graduated Medford High in 1937. During WWII, Priscilla met a Merchant Marine
from Minnesota named Dan Bromaghim at a USO dance, and the two married in
1944. Together they built a tiny cottage on Washington Place, Medford and were
eventually joined by son Charlie. A larger house was needed.
Out to the country they went. Priscilla and Dan built a somewhat larger brick house
on Stearns Street in Carlisle, where daughter Edie was born. Locals will remember
the Concord grapes, apples, peaches, plums, pumpkins and corn on the
Bromaghim’s produce wagon in the 1960s. Priscilla became an active member of
the Unitarian Church, making lifelong friends and contributing in service to her
community. Other interests and talents included choir, knitting, quilting, rug
braiding, clay statuary and pottery, silver craft, books, photography, calligraphy,
camping and accordion. She knew flowers and trees by formal names, birds by
their calls. She cared deeply about environmental causes. She loved dogs.
After Dan retired from MIT in 1977, they moved to Burnham, ME and built a third
house, a log cabin deep in the woods. After Dan’s passing in 1986, Priscilla
became ever more connected to her neighbors and to the forest and animals around
the cabin. A snake living under the stone front steps was a particular friend.
In the 1990s, she moved back to Washington Place in Medford. The little cottage,
surrounded by rhubarb, irises and flowering trees was a sanctuary in the midst of
urban expansion. In her later years, Priscilla was sustained by the friends she had
accrued – and whom she had supported in countless ways over the years – who
eagerly and devotedly looked after her. The goodness Priscilla put forth throughout
her life came flowing back in the form of innumerable acts of friendship and love.
Priscilla maintained a uniquely positive outlook on life that carried her through
nearly 100 years. None of us who knew her will forget the wise, talented,
delightful woman who led by example and always had something to give.
Priscilla leaves her sister Claire, son Charlie (Judy), daughter Edie (Jeff), four
grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and so many beloved extended family
and friends. She was considered “Mum” to Carol, Jean, Cheryl, and so many
caregivers at CareOne Wilmington. She called us all “Dearie.”
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a
cause close to your own heart would be most fitting.
(Vaupel) March and Charles Newton March of Otis Street in Medford, MA. She
joined older sister Barbara and was followed by Claire, Richard and Diana. She
graduated Medford High in 1937. During WWII, Priscilla met a Merchant Marine
from Minnesota named Dan Bromaghim at a USO dance, and the two married in
1944. Together they built a tiny cottage on Washington Place, Medford and were
eventually joined by son Charlie. A larger house was needed.
Out to the country they went. Priscilla and Dan built a somewhat larger brick house
on Stearns Street in Carlisle, where daughter Edie was born. Locals will remember
the Concord grapes, apples, peaches, plums, pumpkins and corn on the
Bromaghim’s produce wagon in the 1960s. Priscilla became an active member of
the Unitarian Church, making lifelong friends and contributing in service to her
community. Other interests and talents included choir, knitting, quilting, rug
braiding, clay statuary and pottery, silver craft, books, photography, calligraphy,
camping and accordion. She knew flowers and trees by formal names, birds by
their calls. She cared deeply about environmental causes. She loved dogs.
After Dan retired from MIT in 1977, they moved to Burnham, ME and built a third
house, a log cabin deep in the woods. After Dan’s passing in 1986, Priscilla
became ever more connected to her neighbors and to the forest and animals around
the cabin. A snake living under the stone front steps was a particular friend.
In the 1990s, she moved back to Washington Place in Medford. The little cottage,
surrounded by rhubarb, irises and flowering trees was a sanctuary in the midst of
urban expansion. In her later years, Priscilla was sustained by the friends she had
accrued – and whom she had supported in countless ways over the years – who
eagerly and devotedly looked after her. The goodness Priscilla put forth throughout
her life came flowing back in the form of innumerable acts of friendship and love.
Priscilla maintained a uniquely positive outlook on life that carried her through
nearly 100 years. None of us who knew her will forget the wise, talented,
delightful woman who led by example and always had something to give.
Priscilla leaves her sister Claire, son Charlie (Judy), daughter Edie (Jeff), four
grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and so many beloved extended family
and friends. She was considered “Mum” to Carol, Jean, Cheryl, and so many
caregivers at CareOne Wilmington. She called us all “Dearie.”
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a
cause close to your own heart would be most fitting.