Priscilla Haywood Bevins

Priscilla Haywood Bevins of Marblehead, MA, 88 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 12, 2014. Born on April 18, 1926 in Salem, MA, to Dr. Ralph Winson and Margaret Knight Haywood, Priscilla was the sister of the late Benjamin Vanderford Haywood. She was married for 41 years to the late Wesley E. Bevins, Jr., Assistant Dean of Harvard Law School, and is survived by their sons: Dr. Peter A. Bevins, wife Tenley Page Bevins, granddaughters Briana Bevins, Kelsey Bevins and Taryn Bevins of Danvers, MA; C. Scott Bevins, wife Sarah Hoit Bevins, grandson Wesley Bevins, granddaughter Samantha Bevins of Hingham, MA; Joshua C. Bevins, wife Elizabeth L. Bevins of Marblehead, MA, granddaughter Serena Palermo and her husband Jon Palermo. Priscilla is also survived by her longtime companion, John Waymouth, of Marblehead, MA, and a large extended family including beloved sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a number of individuals for whom she was a “second mom” and mentor.

Priscilla was known for her generous free spirit, matchless hospitality, intelligence, wit, creativity and welcoming heart. She spoke several languages fluently, traveled extensively, wrote whimsical poetry, sailed, and was an inspired cook and ever-ready hostess. Her door was always open, especially for those in need. She delighted in her roles as wife, mother, Grandma, Aunt Pril, devoted friend, and wise advisor to many. Her nature was both quirky and practical and as a life-long learner she was always curious for a new intellectual adventure. She was a graduate of Shore Country Day School, Beverly, MA, attended Wells College, Aurora, NY; Modern School of Fashion and Design, Boston, MA; and the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

She took great pride in her extensive volunteer contributions at the House of Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, Busy Bee Society, Marblehead and Salem Historical Societies, and Marblehead Garden Club. As well, she coordinated guest speakers from the worlds of politics, medicine and academia for the Hamilton Hall Lecture Series, Salem, MA.

She loved sailing and raced “brutal beasts” as a teenager at the Corinthian Yacht Club and, as an adult, enjoyed summer cruises “Down Maine” with her many friends at the Eastern Yacht Club of which she was a long-time member. Just before her passing, her niece Anne, who had arrived the day before from Holland, spoke with her at her bedside at home in her favorite spot in the living room. She told her that it was alright to imagine once again sailing on her family’s yacht, the Alouette, with her father Ralph, mother Margaret, brother Ben, and husband Wesley. Peacefully, she did.

All are welcome to a celebration of life on Saturday, October 18, 2014, 1 p.m., at the Blake Memorial Chapel at Harmony Grove Cemetery, 30 Grove St., Salem, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to The Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (http://boston.littlebrothers.org ), The Perkins School for the Blind (http://www.perkins.org/ ) or the Essex Shipbuilding Museum (http://www.essexshipbuildingmuseum.org/ ), or any of the above-mentioned organizations for which she volunteered. Arrangements by the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, Marblehead.