Priscilla M. (Hayward) McDewell
July 18, 1933- April 22, 2026
Priscilla "Cilla" McDewell passed away peacefully in her sleep with morning sounds of birds outside her window on April 22nd, 2026. She is survived by her husband, Ralph McDewell with whom she would have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary this June, and their daughter Susan O'Keefe also of Lexington Massachusetts.
Priscilla, born July 18, 1933, is the youngest of three children growing up in Somerville, Massachusetts with her parents, Russell A. and Annie M. Hayward, along with her older siblings, George and Betty. Priscilla worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston after graduating from Somerville High School. She met her husband, Ralph while spending summers at a cottage on Nutting's Lake in Billerica where they both enjoyed spending time at the lakeside roller skating rink. To this day, he will tell you that she was the most beautiful woman there. He asked if he could skate with her and their story began. They were married in June of 1956 after a courtship including letters written while Ralph was serving in the Army. She made sure that he did not forget her and was waiting for him when he returned.
In 1968, they moved to Lexington with their daughter Susan. Priscilla participated in many organizations within the community. She was a longtime member of the Lexington Field and Garden Club, as well as member of the Munroe Elementary School and Muzzey Jr High School PTA's and an active Girl Scout Troop Leader for many years. She especially enjoyed her role as a leader for the Lexington Girl Scout Drum and Bugle Corps in which Susan performed. During this time, a close network of other Girl Scout parents was built creating an inseparable group of lifelong friends. Priscilla enjoyed the Lexington community and participating in town events. She and Ralph helped to build parade floats for the garden club and the Girl Scouts including the Bicentennial Parade where the building of the float was completed in their driveway.
Priscilla enjoyed her gardens and took pride in her "friendship garden," which included plants and flowers shared between garden club friends, family, and neighbors. Living in her home for 58 years, the neighbors new and old became friends that happened to live nearby.
She had a great love of the ocean and often spent time in Wells, Maine walking the beach and had frequent visits to Acadia National Park where she loved to camp, dine at Jordan Pond and watch sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain.
Priscilla also had a love of animals – she loved dogs of any size and always kept a supply of treats for the neighborhood pets.  She truly enjoyed the birds frequenting her feeders and bird baths as she watched through the window or while enjoying a cup of coffee from the deck.
More recently in late 2025, Priscilla moved into the caring and supportive community of Brightview Assisted Living in Billerica. There she continued to make new friends and enjoy daily activities such as flower arranging.
In addition to her husband, Ralph and daughter, Susan, Priscilla is survived by her sister-in-law, Edna McDewell and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Predeceasing her are her sister Elizabeth (Betty) and her husband, William Edwards and her brother, George Hayward and his wife Audrey as well as Ralph's four brothers and their spouses.
Family was important to Priscilla and after her siblings had passed, her home always had an open door for their families including Betty's children-  Cindy Royal and her husband, David, their children Katie Royal;  Bryan Royal and his wife, Haley; Keith Edwards and his wife, Karen, their children Alison Graham and her husband, Josh; Amy Rich and her husband, Derek, and George's son- Doug Hayward and his wife Kathy; their children, Nathan Hayward and Ryan Hayward.
Priscilla's funeral will be held on Saturday May 30th 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Our Redeemer at 6 Meriam St. Lexington, Massachusetts. The Internment at Mount Auburn Cemetery will be private.
Flowers welcomed, donations to The Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery, Willow Pond Fund or Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (www.gsema.org) Cedar Hill Museum appreciated.