Priscilla Jo Moree (Lyons)
Priscilla “Pris” Moree was funny, smart, witty, beautiful, fiercely independent, and an unapologetic feminist. She loved books, politics, travel, good conversation, and gathering people around her table. She died on August 11, 2026, at the age of 83, after a long illness.
Priscilla was born in Wellington, Kansas on October 31, 1942, the daughter of Harold Clark “Joe” Lyons and Dorothy Dunham (Miller).
She always had an adventurous streak and a determination to make her own way. In 1980, she moved with her two daughters to Jackson, Wyoming, where she worked as a legal assistant at Spence, Moriarity & Schuster, now the Spence Law Firm, giving her a front-row seat to consequential and always interesting legal cases.
She returned to Laramie in 1985 and began working in Cheyenne for former Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Rose, Jr. after his retirement from the court. She later served as a legal investigator on the Brookhurst toxic-tort and environmental-contamination litigation in Natrona County. After retiring from the firm, she continued as a legal investigator working on death-penalty mitigation cases with the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office.
Priscilla cared deeply about women’s equality and believed progress required people willing to stand up and make some noise. As a member and former state chair of the Wyoming National Organization for Women, she was an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. She was active in local and statewide politics and lobbied for laws addressing domestic violence and protecting women’s reproductive healthcare.
But work and politics were only part of her life. Pris was an avid reader, as evidenced by the hundreds of books that filled her home. She painted, knitted, traveled whenever she could, and loved hosting Sunday dinners for an ever-changing collection of old and new friends. She traveled with her daughter Dona on work trips and girls’ trips including memorable adventures in Italy and Spain. She also enjoyed many trips to Puerto Vallarta with her longtime partner, Mark ‘Marcus’ Law.
Her three grandsons knew her as “G.G.,” short for “Grand Goddess”– a name both affectionate and somehow entirely appropriate. She loved Reno, Gabriel, and Dominic and was enormously proud of all three of them and the lives they built.
Priscilla is survived by her daughter, Dona Playton, and son-in-law, Roland ‘Rolly’ Maldonado; her daughter, Belle Moree; her grandsons, Reno Maldonado and his wife, Lindsey Maldonado, Gabriel Maldonado and his wife, Autumn Maldonado, and Dominic Vigil; her great-granddaughter, Eliannah Vigil; her great-grandson, Archie Alan Maldonado, born just six days before her death; her longtime partner, Mark A. Law; and her sister, Toni Dunham.
Above all, Pris should be remembered as she was for most of her life: independent, curious, engaged, beautiful, and funny. The illness that marked her final years took away much of the independence she valued so deeply and, eventually, much of her light. But those years were not the measure of her life. Her life is better measured in the friendships she kept, the arguments she was willing to have, the causes she championed, the books she read, the places she traveled, the people she welcomed to her table, and the laughter she left behind.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Climb Wyoming, whose work empowering Wyoming mothers toward economic independence and self-sufficiency reflects values Priscilla championed throughout her life.
A celebration of Priscilla’s life will be held from 4 pm – 7 pm on September 25, 2026, at the home of her daughter Dona in Laramie. In keeping with her spirit, family and friends will gather to share memories, laugh together, and remember a life that gave us so much to talk about.
Priscilla was smart, determined, opinionated, beautiful, fun, a great mom, a great GG, a trailblazer, a true original. My favorite thing about her was her sense of humor. She was one of the funniest people I have ever known. The other day I remembered when her kids were little and complained about something she’d say, “tough titty said the kitty, but the milk’s still good.” She had these down home sayings that she always delivered with a twinkle in her eye. Dona and I are so lucky that she worked in the physics department when my dad arrived there in 1970. She needed someone to watch 3-year old Dona in the afternoons and my dad suggested she share our afterschool babysitter. That’s how I gained a sister. I’ll never forget the many Sunday night dinners around Priscilla’s table. Delicious food, great conversation and interesting people every time. I loved her. The world is a little colder without her. My deepest condolences to Dona, Rolly, Belle, Marcus and the entire family.
I knew Priscilla from the late 60’s when she “ran” the Department of Physics. She was one person the department head would listen to. So sorry to learn of her passing.
She was a terrific lady, and absolute wonderful person. She will be missed by many, and her memories will serve as a reminder of how great life is, and how wonderful she was. My condolences to Dona, Rolly, Mark, and all immediate family.
My heart is broken. Pris was one of those extraordinary people you run across whom you believe could never leave. Hands down one of the funniest, most brilliant women I have ever known. Fearless, confident and loving, and an indefatigable champion of the underdog, she was a force of nature who lived her life on her terms. We are much the richer for having her in our lives, and much the poorer for her loss.
Priscilla's passing was very sad news for me. I knew her in high school as well as when we were both students at the University of Kansas.. Her personality was like a magnet and when she would return to Wellington, KS for a reunion, if you noticed a large group you could be sure to find Priscilla at the center. My condolences to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Richard and I have known Priscilla since high school. Vivacious, beautiful and always the life of the party! No one laughed as deeply and genuinely enjoyable as Priscilla. I am quite sure she and Lana Garvin are having a great reunion. God bless, Priscilla, your light will continue to shine here on earth.
I went to high school with Priscilla and also when she was a student at the University of Kansas. I always enjoyed seeing her at later reunions when she would return to her hometown. My condolences to all her family and friends, she will definitely be missed by all fortunate enough to know and love her.
Priscilla and I were long-lost cousins (her dad and my mom were siblings). We hadn't stayed in touch, although my mom kept up with her for a number of years, so I knew of and admired her many causes and accomplishments. Having just lost my mom, it is so sad to also lose Priscilla. My heart goes out to Mark and all her friends and family. Thank you, Mark, for reaching out.
My condolences to Priscilla's family and friends. I worked with Priscilla decades ago at UW and learned so much from her intelligence, humor and that magical smile. She and my sister Rosemary worked together at the Spence firm and had some great stories. She will be missed, but leaves an amazing legacy.
I am so sorry to here this. Just thought about her tonight and searched on line and found this. My love to Marcus and the rest of her family 🙏
We first met Priscilla in 1968 when she work for the UW physics department. I was hired as a bookkeeper and my husband was a student. She was amazing and she taught me so much about life. She knew what she wanted and made it work. May she rest in peace.
Belle and Dona, I am so sorrty about your mother. I think of you both, and her, often. Love Maribeth Galvan
Priscilla was a dynamic force for good in the world. I knew her during her years in the UW Zoology Department where her brains kept all the moving parts under control and her light made the workplace a joy. I send my deep condolences.
My condolences and prayers to Priscilla's family and friends. Priscilla was a very funny and caring person and she will be missed. Hang in there, Mark and family.
Dona and family, I'm sorry for your loss. May she rest in paradise.
GG was a force! In the most compassionate way. My condolences to all.
I am so sorry for all of us at her passing. She was one of the most remarkably talented people I have ever met.