Priscilla Isabelle Van Sluis

"All My Love, All My Life." These simple words were beautifully embroidered by Priscilla many years ago to commemorate herwedding. They resonate profoundly now as we struggle with our deep grief at the loss of PriscillaIsabelle Van Sluis, who passed in the early morning hours on February 9, 2023, at her home inVancouver, Washington, in the embrace of her husband, David. Her death was a devastating shock as itcame quickly and utterly without warning, following an aortic aneurysm at the heartbreaking age of 58. Priscilla was born and raised in Astoria, Oregon, the younger of two children. Coming from very modestmeans, after graduation she was determined to choose a path of prosperity and growth for herself. Andso with the help and encouragement of her brother, Les, she set off for college in the Willamette Valley,attending first Lane Community College and then the University of Oregon. Even as a teenager Priscillawas a tremendously hard worker, supporting herself through years of exhausting waitressing, withouteven the luxury of a car to get to classes and her multiple jobs. This she did without complaint. In the final year of her bachelor's studies for community health at UO she moved into Chelsea House, astudent residence affiliated with the Catholic Newman Center. It was here one morning where she metDavid over breakfast in the dining room, and they fell in love almost immediately. In each other, each ofthem found an adoring heart. Each felt a void was now filled, and they were soon inseparable.Supporting one another through the remainder of college, Priscilla continued to earn a master's degreein recreation therapy. A few months later, she and David married on a beautiful summer day in 1990and embarked on a life together filled with love and tenderness. Their joy reached new levels with the birth of their sons Brandon in 1995, and Cameron in 1999. Priscillawas always family-focused and raising her baby boys was a particularly wonderful and fulfilling time inher life. She was simply the most loving and caring mother imaginable. Providing her sons with a happychildhood they could look back on with fondness was always extremely important to her. Even into theiradulthood she had a close, loving bond with them. Her vitality, humor, and love for life lives on in herchildren. Care and service to others were the hallmark of Priscilla's early career. She provided recreation therapywork, first to brain-injured adults and later to seniors in independent living communities. She foundgreat personal fulfillment working with seniors and they loved her for her kindness and positive energy.Her devotion to the elderly can be traced back to her love for her grandmother Isabelle, after whom shewas named. From Isabelle she learned sewing, needlework, and other creative crafts, which shecontinued all her life. She even turned these skills into a successful small business she called "Mrs. Sew& Sews" where she could be seen every weekend for many years at the Vancouver Farmers Market,spreading joy and delight to shoppers through her beautiful hand-sewn creations, and her own friendly,enthusiastic personality. It is perhaps a cliché to say that everyone who knew Priscilla for any length of time loved her, but in hercase it is certainly true. She was unapologetically optimistic and sweet by nature and by choice, but alsostrong, fearless and totally without guile. Her tragic passing has wounded us beyond words. For herfamily, living without her will be supremely difficult. We will never forget her, and as we keep her alivein our hearts, we promise her this: all our love, all our life. Priscilla's survivors include her husband David, her sons Brandon and Cameron, her mother Janice, herbrother Les and sister-in-law Patty, her niece and nephew Madalyn and Ryan, and her aunt Joyce. She ispreceded in death by her father Harry and her grandmother Isabelle.

Priscilla Isabelle Van Sluis

January 6, 1965 - February 9, 2023