Priscilla Robb "Pris" McDonnell

JULY 25, 2017

Priscilla Robb "Pris" McDonnell, eldest daughter of John Donald Robb, died peacefully on Tuesday the 25th of July, 2017 surrounded by family. She was less than two weeks shy of her 95th birthday.

Priscilla was a longtime board member who positively influenced the Trust in many ways. Her genuine interest and enthusiasm will be missed.

Priscilla was a founding member of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and had tirelessly supported it since 1975. She was district chair of the St. Louis District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council, President of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Association and Community Music School. She had served in leadership positions on the boards of The Arts and Education Council, the Bach Society, the Community Music School, the Washington University Friends of Music, the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Sheldon, The National Society of Arts and Letters, Care and Counseling and The Wednesday Club. She served as a soloist at the Ladue Chapel for twenty-five years and sang her father's songs in a Carnegie Recital Hall Concert in NYC.

Priscilla was Variety Club Woman of the Year in 1988 and received the Missouri Historical Society's Thomas Jefferson Award in 2004. She was a Globe Democrat Women of Achievement in 1973 and would also receive The Arts & Education Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award, the St. Louis Symphony's Green Room Award and the Cathedral Concert's Great Music Award. She also received an honorary degree from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. She never met anyone she didn't like and will be missed by so many.

She is survived by her son William Randall "Randy" McDonnell (Veronica); daughter Robbin McDonnell MacVittie (Paul); grandson William Sanford MacVittie (Amanda) and great-grandson Paul Liam MacVittie.

Priscilla was the widow of Sanford Noyes "Sandy" McDonnell, former Chairman and CEO of McDonnell Douglas.

---