Remembering the life of Prudence Wood (2024)

Kingston - Prudence "Prudy" Ann Wood a longterm resident of Kingston passed peacefully in the home of her dearest friends on August 4, 2024 at the age of 89.
Prudy, beloved teacher for over 37 years at the Daniel J. Bakie Elementary School in Kingston, NH, was born on her parents, Pearl and Raymond Wood's Bible Hill Farm in Melvin Mills, New Hampshire on May 20, 1935. She is survived by her sister, Katherine Sheridan of Grove City, Ohio, ten nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, and two great great nieces.
After completing her chores on the farm, Prudy would walk the ¾ miles down Bible Hill Road to catch the train, and subsequently, a bus to school in Warner, New Hampshire where she was an outstanding student. Always an avid reader and lover of books, Prudy received a scholarship to Mt. Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts where she graduated with honors and continued her education with a degree from Keene State College, then Keene Teacher's College.
Prudy loved her profession and in her decades a Bakie School she touched and changed many lives as an elementary school teacher. She also established enduring friendships with other teachers that lasted for life.
She was literally a world traveler and adventurer traveling to the Antarctica twice and touring all of the remaining six continents, frequently with her sister Kay. She didn't have to leave the US for adventure as she attended spring Baseball training in Florida and Arizona for over a decade in retirement. Of course she was a Red Sox fan, having taught Carlton "Pug", then "Pudgy", Fisk in Charlestown, New Hampshire, as a student teacher. Her sister Kay was an equally avid Indians fan which led to years of spirited dialogue. She traveled much of the world and US as an avid "birder" and accumulated an impressive "life list" of bird sightings which included over 700 of the 1,000 known species. Nor did she have to leave her beloved New Hampshire for adventure. She successfully summited all 48 of the 4,000-foot peaks in the White Mountains.
Prudy had a vast range of interests, with some reaching the level of passions. He older sister, Priscilla, nicknamed for life by Prudy as "Sid", called her Prudy 5 B's which stood for books, birds, bridge, baseball, and bowling. Add to that tennis, which she played for most of her life and watched faithfully once it became a cable television staple.
Finally, Prudy will be remembered for her sense of humor. She would throw back her head, slap her knee, and laugh infectiously at others jokes. Although, a great storyteller and occasional stretcher of the truth, she did not necessarily tell jokes. She, like all great wits found humor and irony in the everyday events of life. She will be greatly missed for the joy she brought to the lives of her surviving friends and family.
A celebration of Prudy's life will be held on the patio of the Fremont Pizzeria Restaurant on Saturday, August 31 from 12 until 2 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, September 1st. Friends, colleagues, and former students are invited to attend and share stories and memories. Burial services will be private at still family-owned Bible Hill Farm.
Donations in Prudy's memory can be made to the Harvey-Mitchell Memorial Library, 151 Main St., Epping, NH 03042 or Kingston Community Library, 2 Library Ln Kingston, NH 03848.
Brewitt Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. For more information you can visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com

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Published on August 11, 2024