Priscilla Edwards Browning

Priscilla (Percy) Donaldson Edwards Browning

2/16/35 – 1/13/21

Percy was born in New York, NY on February 16, 1935. She was preceded in death by her parents Russell Edwards and Martha Jo Swain, her son-in-law Dr. Patrick M. Riley, and her former husband Robert E. Browning. She is survived by her sister Connie (George) Mitchell of Bayport, NY, and her four children: Liz Riley of Columbus OH, Keith (Pam) Browning of Dayton OH, Russell (Tui) Browning of St. Louis MO, and Peter (Ursula) Browning of Ithaca, NY.

In addition, she is survived by her 14 grandchildren: Kate (Andy) Talcott, Meg (Jackson) Roberts, Trevor (Natalie) Browning, Lex (Katie) Browning, Carly, Russell Jr., Sarah, Elizabeth, Michael, and John Browning, Karinna, Cecile, Annika, and Cyrus Kurman-Browning, her 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Percy was raised in West Sayville NY, loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, played the piano and violin, sang, acted and attended Sayville High School. She matriculated at Cornell University where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi and sang with the A Capella Chorus and the Cornell Women’s Chorus, graduating in 1956 with a BA in English from the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1957 she earned a secretarial services certificate from Katherine Gibbs College. She later earned an MA in Psychology in 1986 from the University of Bridgeport.

After marrying Bob in August 1957, they lived in Utah, and Hawaii, and ultimately settled in Maysville, KY, where she raised her family. She was affiliated with numerous organizations where she dedicated her efforts in building the arts and music community. She was instrumental in helping the Maysville Players grow - directing, producing, starring and co-starring, making costumes, doing makeup, painting sets, handling tickets, doing whatever was necessary to make the group successful, even encouraging her children to be involved. Some of the productions she directed were The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Camelot, and A Christmas Carol. She played piano for the Mason County High School Choir and many other organizations, and co-founded the Limestone Youth Orchestra. She was involved in the Mason County Fund and served as co-chair. An active member of the Church of the Nativity, she served as President of the women’s group and also served as president of the local Women’s Republican Club. She served as a director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and chaired the Aging Council of Buffalo Trace Area Development District. And raised 4 children. She was busy!

We fondly recall the numerous musical events and parties held at our home. From small chamber concerts to lead actor rehearsals for Camelot, to the Limestone Youth Orchestra taking over our home for a week. The house was always filled with music. The various cast parties and New Year’s Eve bashes Mom organized were legendary.

In 1980 Percy moved to Fairfield CT, and she continued her involvement in musical efforts, serving on the board and as chair of the of Board of Directors for the Fairfield Chamber Orchestra. In the mid 1980’s she lived in Westport, CT, and then in Boothbay Harbor, ME, for several years where she continued her philanthropic activities and led many organizations. Mom was a force wherever she lived.

Percy returned to her college town of Ithaca, NY in 1995, and in short time integrated herself into the fabric of the Ithaca community.

It is hard to list all the organizations she had passion for and became involved with, and we know we will miss some and apologize about that. We do know when she got involved, each of the organizations grew and became more successful.

Percy was devoted to Cornell, as an enthusiastic patron and tireless advocate of music and the arts at the university. Her generosity to the College of Arts & Sciences and Music Department included gifts to establish the Priscilla Edwards Browning Director of Choral Music Endowment and Steven Stucky Residency Memorial Fund. She was also a contributor to the Barnes Hall Concerts, University Orchestra, Glee Club International Tour, and Lincoln and White Hall renovations, as well as a regular donor to the Lab of Ornithology and Cornell Botanic Garden.

An active member of the Class of ’56, Percy served as vice president for the class and as chair or co-chair of several of her on-campus class reunions. At the time of her passing Percy was serving on her Class Council and was also a life member of the Cornell University Council, where she chaired the Cultural Endeavors Committee and was a member of the Committee on the Arts, and a past member of the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Council.  Percy was awarded the university’s top volunteer recognition honor, the Frank H. T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award, in 2012.  She also was recognized as a Foremost Benefactor, for her steadfast support of, and involvement with, Cornell.

Percy had a special place in her heart for many organizations in Ithaca, perhaps none more important than the Kitchen Theatre. She worked tirelessly to help build and grow the Theatre, actively involved on the Board as Chair, helping with strategy, fund raising and bringing a bold, intimate, and engaging approach to Theatre in Ithaca. Her leadership led to the Kitchen Theatre being the first Theatre company in Ithaca to own its own building and theatre space. Her children recognized her great impact and love for the Theatre, and they helped create the Percy Browning Performance Space to honor and celebrate her love. Her interests did not stop with music and theatre as she participated in and had leadership roles with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Ithaca Rotary, Planned Parenthood of Tompkins County, the Paleontological Research Institution, SPCA of Tompkins County and supported Democratic political candidates. She commissioned untold works of visual and musical arts, and leaves a trail of theatres, classrooms and desks named for her, as she truly touched all areas of the Ithaca community. In 2004 Percy was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year from the Finger Lakes Chapter of the NY Association of Fund-Raising Professionals.

Mom loved to travel and was proud she set foot on and toured all 7 continents, and her favorite trips and visits were to Bhutan, Galapagos, Europe, and Antarctica. She so enjoyed sharing and visiting new places especially with her grandchildren. Popular travel destinations included music and theatre events and festivals in Glimmerglass, Chautauqua, and Niagara on The Lake, and of course seeing her beloved Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

It wasn’t only working on boards and committees that got her competitive juices flowing. She had a passion for playing cards and rarely missed a chance to play with her children, whom she beat with regularity! But her favorite people to play with were her grandkids. She adored teaching them games, and watching them learn, that is, up until they started to beat her……but even with those losses, she retired as the Grand Champion of Spite & Malice and Russian Bank within the family.

Visiting and spending time with her children in Columbus, Dayton, St. Louis, and Ithaca brought her the most joy. She relished her time with each of them and was so proud of their accomplishments.

Thank you for allowing us to share our mom with you. We loved her, we miss her, and we know all of you have a special place in your heart for her.

Love,

Liz, Keith, Russell, Pete and families

Guestbook at Bangs Funeral Home: www.bangsfuneralhome.com .   A private burial is planned for January 23, 2021, in Ithaca, NY. A memorial celebration to follow when it will be safer to be together. And for all of you who knew Percy, she would prefer a celebration!

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to recognize her life to The Maysville Players PO Box 537 Maysville, KY 41056 or the Kitchen Theatre Company 417 W. State St. Ithaca, NY 14850.