On Aug. 20, Frances Prudence “Prue” Fitzgibbon Aarts passed away at 91 years of age. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was surrounded by her three surviving children: Tom, Christine, and Carol.

Prue was born to Prudence Connolly and Elmer Fitzgibbon in Massachusetts, on April 14, 1931. Shortly after birth, her mother passed away, so several matriarchal aunts in Boston, Massachusetts took care of Prue and her sister, Anne. Prue graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1951, after attending a prestigious women’s private high school called Northfield-Mount Hermon in Northfield, Massachusetts.

After raising her two boys and two girls and sending the last one off to school, she earned a master’s degree from the Pratt Institute in Library Science and Information Media in 1972. After receiving this degree, she became a well-known and respected librarian and a media science expert from 1972 to 1998, for the Bedford Central School District (Bedford, New York) at Bedford Elementary School and Pound Ridge Elementary School.

She was named one of the most popular educators in her field and was beloved by the parent community, her administrators, her peers and most importantly, the hundreds of young children she taught how the love and magic of books can open a world of knowledge and adventure. Prue was a phenomenal writer and a voracious reader with a quick wit and an extensive vocabulary. Her love of reading was contagious to all.

Most of all, she loved her children and her grandchildren. Prue often said her children were her works of art and one of the most creative and rewarding things she did in her life. She often regaled her close friends with stories of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.

She is survived by her beloved children: Thomas (Tom) Aarts, Christine Elkington ,and Carol Aarts. Her oldest son, Jeffrey Aarts, was always in her heart as he sadly passed way before his time. Eight grandchildren also survive her: Michael Aarts, Peter Aarts, Benjamin Seiger, Jake Seiger, Molly Pop Elkington, Emma Bump Elkington, and Dylan Connor Geddis Aarts; and one great-granddaughter, Nina Lily Laasko.

Prue had an inquisitive mind. She loved books, the rhythm of the sea, good food, political discussion, her Irish heritage, and music. Prue was best known for her love and enthusiastic positive energy to all with whom she came in touch. She was intelligent and driven to make the world a better place.

We are all so fortunate to have known and loved her. For more information on Prue’s life, go to: www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=OB36698540

Instead of giving flowers, the family asks that you bring a great story or memory to this Celebration of Life, and/or you can make a small donation on Prue’s behalf to E.C. Scranton Memorial Library for the children’s section here: (www.gofund.me/86ba3dc5) For more details, email tom@nutritionadvisors.com.