a note from Nilda
Nilda & Priscilla
Remembering my sister, Priscilla Elaine Bonilla Lawrence:
PRISCILLA, PRISCILLA, a woman to have known or shared life with WELL. Priscilla was the first of four daughters born to Elaine Sibilly Colon. She was two and a half years older than I was, which allows me to reflect on our years as siblings growing up in the Sibilly Home in Estate Elizabeth. Mafolie, as others tend to call it. Priscilla had green eyes, and I would often tease her, saying she had the eyes of a cat—this would make her mad with me, but we would make up after a few more teasing.
Priscilla was a child who was very dainty and well-kept by all. She was a beautiful, gifted, and talented young lady who would excel in everything she set her mind to do. Our mother, Elaine (Gorgon), realized this and never held her back. Instead, Priscilla grew her talents, and everyone treated her like a princess. Everyone wanted her to be their wedding as a flower girl. Mom would design and hand-sew all the bridal gowns as well as the dresses for the entourage. Her beauty and my mother's expertise in fashion designs promoted the path toward her wonderful young years.
Priscilla attended Eldra Barnes School of Dance, where she learned Ballet and Tap Dance. As a teenager, she attended the Lou Bowman Dance Class, where she learned Ballroom and Modern Dance. Priscilla also sang beautifully. Her dance lessons and singing helped her to successfully enter beauty contests and fulfill any dreams she may have wished with the help of our mother. There were many contests over the years, with her participating in the Oratory contest for Saints Peter and Paul High School and taking lead parts in many of the school's stage plays and events. Priscilla also set course to participate in the St. Thomas Carnival Queen contest in 1960, where she placed first runner-up in that competition. The experience opened the door for her a few months later, in 1961, to be a participant and win the title of Miss U.S. Virgin Islands. Priscilla was the first representative from the U.S. Virgin Islands to participate in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held at the Miami Sheraton Beach Hotel in Florida. "A dream come true."
Growing up in a home where we often had two housemaids to do all our chores, it made Priscilla the child who never cared to learn to cook. Let us not talk about house chores that was a "no-no." Years later, Priscilla would get married and give birth to her princess Laura, who has given her two lovely granddaughters, Evelyn and Vivian. And last but not least, Priscilla had her handsome son, Glenn Wesley, from the love of her life, Glenn. After getting married and having a family, Priscilla became an excellent homemaker, mother, and wife.
Priscilla always remembered her French heritage. She was exposed to more spoken French Patois than others in the family were. In our talks, she would say something in Patois. I would have to remind her, "Now, Priscilla, that is not nice". She would laugh loudly, because she was using her French Patois to be "wicked". She got pleasure in knowing others did not understand what she had just said to them. Priscilla was just being her usual silly self.
In the last five years or so, when talking on the phone, she would say, "Hi, this is your big sister". We never ended our talks without saying "I Love You" to each other. At the end of our last conversation, we said "I Love You"! I will remember this for the rest of my life. Before my last visit in September, Priscilla told me "she knew that I LOVED her". Love her, I did. May she rest in Eternal Peace with her Lord and Savior, and may the angels lead her into Heaven!
Her loving sister,
Nilda E. Colon Millin
