Groton, CT – Priscilla Bevan Newell died at her home on January 12, 2026, in Groton, Connecticut.
She was born in 1928 in Leesburg, Florida, to David and Frances Newell, both deceased. She was also predeceased by her two sisters, Betty and Nancy, and her beloved partner of 30 years, Mary Wade. She is survived by her daughter, Raychel Wade.
Priscilla completed her B.A. at the University of Florida and her M.A. at the University of Michigan, specializing in adult learning. Her career took many turns, including ten years with the Girl Scouts of the USA in Michigan and as a trainer for the national organization. In 1954, she moved to Heidelberg, Germany, to join the staff of the North Atlantic Girl Scout Council, sponsored by the U.S. Army, serving more than ten thousand U.S. military and State Department dependents in thirteen countries. She trained and supported adult volunteers at Army, Navy, and Air Force bases and directed summer camps for children in Germany, Spain, and Morocco.
Upon her return to the United States, she settled near Washington, D.C., and became active in the peace and civil rights movements while serving as Deputy Affirmative Action Officer at the University of Maryland. In 1973, she moved to Vermont, helped build her “house with a view,” and served as Director of the Southeast Division of the Community College of Vermont, a non-campus-based state college. During her 34 years in Vermont, she also served as Deputy Director of Affirmative Action at Dartmouth College, Assistant Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Dartmouth Medical School, and Equal Employment Officer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire.
She remained deeply dedicated to ensuring that the recruitment of faculty, staff, scientists, engineers, and technicians included a wide and inclusive search for qualified women and minority candidates.
Her favorite things were RV’ing, kayaking, gardening, zip lining, and traveling to all 50 states and 28 countries. She loved animals deeply and took particular joy in the companionship of her many pets over the years. She delighted in jazzy socks and was always tickled pink by the fact that she was born in the same year as Mickey Mouse, Shirley Temple, and Mister Rogers.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2 PM at the All Souls Universalist Church, 19 Jay Street, New London, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, a gift registry has been created in her name with Lambda Legal.https://give.lambdalegal.org/PriscillaNewell. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or share a memory with the family.
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