Linda Caroline (Erickson) Priester

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Mark Twain

Linda Caroline (Erickson) Priester was born on November 28, 1942, to Eric and Mildred Erickson in Elmira Heights, NY.

She attended Elmira Heights Central School District and upon graduation, attended Mansfield State College. In her senior year, she did her student teaching at SRU High School with a man she was sure “she would never make him happy” – James Priester. On her last day of student teaching, she was offered a full-time job at SRU and jumped at the opportunity. Just a few months and only 4 dates later, she married James Priester and they continued to teach at SRU together. Her specialty in English was public speaking and American Lit with her favorite author being Mark Twain. She received a Master’s Degree from Elmira College with a concentration in Mark Twain studies. When SRU High School merged with Athens Area High School, she went to Athens to continue to inspire a love of reading and literature. In total, she taught for over 36 years in the Athens Area School District retiring in 2000.

While teaching full time, she managed to raise two boys, Shawn and Kurt, who also joined the family business by becoming teachers. Everyone in the family has taught at the SRU building at some point in their careers.

Outside of teaching, she was an avid reader, book club member, mother and devoted grandmother. Her love of cats was demonstrated in the constant presence of many kitties in her house and all of the strays outside of her house. She loved to shop every weekend and looked forward to her time with her children and grandchildren browsing, buying and getting something new.

Linda is predeceased by the love of her life and husband, James Priester; her parents, Eric and Mildred Erickson; and brothers Donald (Dona) and Kenneth (Beverly) Erickson.

She is survived by her sons Shawn (Liz) Priester, Kurt Priester; sister, Sandra Erickson; grandchildren Haley, Jarett, Braden and Avery Priester; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as her feline companions Skittles and Cottonball.

Friends and family may call on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 S. Main St., Athens, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Animal Care Sanctuary can be made as they were a favorite charity of hers.

And read every day!

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