Sarah Prudence Elizabeth Gushee, aka Prudence (Prudy), passed away on her 77th birthday in St Croix, on Feb. 1, 2026 after a period of declining health.
Sarah was born and raised in Appleton, Maine. She was predeceased by her parents, Floyd and Elizabeth (Meservey) Gushee and her brother, F. Larry Gushee.
She leaves behind, her brother, Jenness R. Gushee, Sr. and wife Goldie, of Appleton, Valerie Burke Gushee, wife of brother Larry; birth daughter, Shannon White and family; special cousins Craig, Dawn; nieces and nephews Kristi, Kathi, Kendall, Michael, Jenness Jr., Julie, Stephenie and many extended family members.
Island friends, like family for decades, include Ellie, Gloria, Mary Ellen, Karen, Patricia, Richard and many others.
Prudy attended Appleton schools and was part of the first class of Appleton students to graduate from Camden District High School in 1967. Prudy pursued her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine, Orono. She spent most of her career fiercely advocating for children in the Special Education field. Sarah’s teaching career included time in California, New Hampshire, Maine, including her hometown of Appleton, US Virgin Islands which included teaching college level courses, time at Queen Louise Children’s Home, Charles H. Emanuel School and eventually retiring from the USVI Education Dept.
Sarah Prudy grew up in rural Appleton on a dairy and chicken farm in a neighborhood surrounded by relatives from both sides of her family. She grew up a gentle girl who enjoyed nature, animals of all kinds, plants, reading, piano and wonderful friends. Once into adulthood, she spread her wings and love to travel.
Prudy continued to return home summers to Sennebec Pond, surrounded by extended family and the joy and laughter of children, barking dogs, wildlife and family.
Sarah’s four decades plus, life in the Virgin Islands was filled with much the same as Appleton. Her friends were her family. Most of her Island time was lived near the top of a rural hill in the Bellevue neighborhood of Christiansted owned by the Bond family. She overlooked the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
She continued to rescue animals, feed strays, grow beautiful plants and soak up the Island sunshine.
Golfing became this gentle woman’s passion. Thru good strokes and bad, hurricanes causing off grid primitive living, the laughter and friendship of her Island family sustained her.
A Celebration of Sarah’s Life will be held in Christiansted USVI at But Ter restaurant at Club St. Croix condominiums March 9. Friends please drop by from 3:30 -5:30 and share food and a memory.
A Maine Summer Celebration will be held at Sennebec Pond with more information to follow.
Prudy will be interred at Pine Grove in Appleton and on Christiansted, St Croix.
Our thanks to all who shared Sarah’s life.
Thank you to Schuster’s Crematorium for assistance.
