Carla Mae Priest (nee Schlegel) was born September 7th, 1942, Troy, NY to Constance (Connie) Hoffman Schlegel and William (Whitey) Schlegel, Sr. and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on the evening of March 25th, 2021 at the age of 78. Carla has been a long-time resident of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, William H. Priest of Harwich, MA, son David Thomas of Boston, MA, daughter Rebecca Grimm and husband John Grimm of Burlington, VT, step-daughter Jennifer Priest of Andover, MA and her grandchildren: Jenet Insero, Michael Insero, Abigail Grimm, Sophia Thomas, Dylan Grimm and Jackson Thomas as well as sister Paula Sanders and brother William Schlegel Jr. Carla earned her R.N. from SUNY Plattsburgh and M.S.N. from Boston University. The owner of Sunlight Wellness, she was involved in nursing and the healing arts all her adult life. She served as Director of Public Health in Bedford, MA for twelve years, as Assistant Professor of Graduate Nursing at Boston University for three years and was head of the Gerontology Department at Cape Cod Community College from 1991 to 1994. Her interest in womens health care and aging was an integral part of her life. Carla held advanced certification in Polarity Energy Balancing and as a Reiki Master Teacher, lectured at Dana Farber Institute and other Boston and Cape Cod area hospitals. She became a proponent of alternative approaches to medical care and taught Reiki to many people throughout Massachusetts. She was also the author of an autobiography entitled 'Rejoice Regardless.' She loved the time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to swim, to dance, and to laugh. Most of all, Carla was known for her kindness, and near the end of her life she stated 'Ive done everything Ive ever wanted to do with my life'. She will never be forgotten. We all love you Carla! In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Broad Reach Hospice. They are at 390 Orleans Rd. North Chatham, MA 02650. It will go to a fund for people who cannot afford hospice care.