Priscilla Bergus Laurence  11/09/1957 – 27/12/2014

Born in Maryland, USA to Ambassador Donald and Elizabeth Bergus, Priscilla spent much of her young life overseas as she, her sister Elizabeth and her brother George travelled with her parents, following her father's career in the US diplomatic service. She lived in Paris, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Khartoum and Turkey but it was to be Cairo, Egypt, she would never forget. 

In her teenage years, Priscilla attended Westtown High School, a Quaker Boarding School in Pennsylvania, USA which was to provide her with a number of lifelong friends and numerous tales of the mischief and mayhem she wrought. 

From there she went on to study Theatre at Temple University in Philadelphia and after graduating, Priscilla travelled to London to attend the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art where she met her husband of 32 years, Andrew. 

Settling in London, Priscilla spent several years working as a theatrical agent, herding unruly pantomime stars into line, before changing career and becoming  a trainer in management skills and facilitator, working predominantly in the NHS. Her accomplishments included spearheading the country's first programme to recruit and train doctors from overseas to work in the NHS and working with CEOs of NHS trusts on their leadership skills. She held positions at St George's Hospital Trust, NHS Southern Region and Kings College Medical School and was known for her larger than life and down-to earth approach which endeared her to all she encountered, from the most junior employee to the crustiest senior consultant.  

In the early 1990s Priscilla and Andrew welcomed their two daughters into the world, Elizabeth and Katie – and Team Laurence was formed. While she continued her career her family became her absolute priority, during which she beat her first battle with breast cancer. 

After her second diagnosis in 2011, Andy and Priscilla spent much of the last four years together travelling: to Tromso to see the Northern Lights, visiting the Orangutans in Borneo, back to her beloved Cairo and spending summers at the Shore, in Strathmere, New Jersey. Priscilla was also thrilled to see her two daughters graduate and go on to further education and employment.

Priscilla was a glass half-full gal to the end, and spent her last few months seeing friends and setting the world to rights with her family. Her final days were spent at home and in the care of St Christopher’s Hospice, who provided Priscilla and the family with wonderful pastoral and medical care over the final months – Priscilla requested donations instead of flowers so please give what you can. 

The funeral will take place at Honor Oak Crematorium (Camberwell New Cemetery, Brockley Way entrance, SE23 3RD) at 10.45am on Saturday 10th January 2015.