Priscilla D. Lanks

Priscilla Dorine Lanks, 89, of Winter Garden, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on February 28, 1937, in Houlton, ME. Throughout her life, she also resided in Pearl River, NY, Lamoine, ME, and Lewisburg, PA. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1954. She continued her education and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Gorham State Teachers College and a M.A. in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed further graduate education at the University of Washington, the University of Wyoming, the College of New Rochelle and the City College of New York. She additionally studied mathematics education at San José State College on a National Science Foundation grant.

Priscilla was a teacher in the Pearl River School District for 34 years. She began teaching at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School before moving to Nauraushaun Elementary School, Pearl River Middle School, and eventually Pearl River High School beginning in 1970, where she taught mathematics for 25 years. She demonstrated exceptional care for her students and her profession, enriching the lives of numerous students and colleagues. In 1993, she was named a finalist for New York State Teacher of the Year.

Priscilla served her community diligently in various roles. She was a member of the Pearl River United Methodist Church, serving as a lay leader and on many parish committees. She notably served as president of the Pearl River Teachers Association for 9 years and in many other PRTA roles as well. Priscilla also had a close association with the Lamoine Baptist Church and was most recently a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ @ The Farm in Lewisburg.

Priscilla most of all loved spending time with her family and friends, especially by playing cards and hosting gatherings at her homes. She was grateful to consider so many people her friends, and she was never without invaluable advice and compassion to share with those around her.

Priscilla was predeceased by Tom Lanks, her loving husband of 53 years, her parents Paul and Dorothy (Hobbs) Jenkins, her brother Gary Jenkins, and her brother Robert Jenkins. She is survived by her son Eric Lanks and daughter-in-law, Michelle (Tuccio), her son Mark Lanks and son-in-law, David (Morando), and her beloved grandchildren Emma Leigh, Thomas James, Lincoln Jonas and London Olivia.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026 in Ellsworth, ME, at a location yet to be determined. Priscilla and her husband, Tom, will be laid to rest on June 28, 2026, at Woodbine Cemetery in Ellsworth, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Priscilla’s name may be made to any of the three churches with which she was affiliated: St. Paul's United Church of Christ @ The Farm, Lamoine Baptist Church, and Pearl River United Methodist Church.