Priscilla Emilia Sotolongo

Priscilla Sotolongo, age 93, died at the Forest at Duke on Saturday, October 30, 2021. She was born on January 17, 1928, in Havana, Cuba to the late Jose Maria and Virginia Fontecilla.

Priscilla attended Loyola University in New Orleans, LA., for a year and then returned to Cuba to graduate from the Ursuline University. She and her husband Hugo traveled to and lived in small towns in the US including Youngstown, OH; Rome, GA; Daytona Beach and Live Oak, FL. 

When Priscilla and Hugo arrived in Live Oak in 1955, they found their community and settled in for the next 47 years. Priscilla was a substitute teacher in Spanish and French at Suwannee High School in Live Oak, FL, for a year.  She then realized she already had a full-time job raising her children with a husband who was often called for medical emergencies on weekends and weeknights. She was a devoted mother, always present for her children’s academic and sporting events.

Once Priscilla realized all her grandchildren were in Durham, NC, she let Hugo know it was time to relocate. Her children and grandchildren are eternally grateful for her decision.

Priscilla’s faith was an important part of her life. She was a long-time member of both Saint Francis Assisi in Live Oak and Holy Infant in Durham, NC and served as a Eucharistic Minister of the Sick for both parishes.

Priscilla is survived by her husband of 70 years, Hugo; her five children, Hugo (Cheree), Roberto (Joy), Carlos (Ann), Priscilla, and David (Wendy) Sotolongo; her seven grandchildren (Alex, Nick (Whitney), Emilia, Stephen, Marisa, Annamaria and Silvia) and her great-grandchild, Sid, son of Alex (Madura) Sotolongo.

She was loved and adored by family and friends as a kind and caring soul.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations can be made to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, where donations are made to programs most in need.

The Sotolongo family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.