Bertah Whitney Prentice, of New Harbor, passed away on May 29.
Bertah was born in Washington, N.J. on March 14, 1927. Her father christened her with a name no one could pronounce (bare’ ta) her brother pronounced it ‘Budda’, shortened to ‘Bud’.
After graduation from Belvedere High School, while working at Martin’s Creek airstrip, she met and married William Ropes, Jr., a navy pilot and flight instructor, who flew her to his beloved Maine in a 140 Cessna and continued by Model T to Round Pond for Bud’s first glimpse of her new home, a 200 year old farmhouse. She wooed and wowed her friends, who transcended all ages and gender, with fabulous dinner parties and beautifully set tables and an occasional failed midnight clambake. Bud gave her heart freely to all she met, locals, summer people and islanders alike.
Bud was a member of the Round Pond Methodist Church and teacher of Sunday school. Bud was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and Eastern Star.
Bud’s passion for fashion ultimately led her to Ethel’s dress shop where she befriended all her customers, wisely advising them on their wardrobes while committing their stories to memory and doling out compassion along the way.
In 1971 Bud married her second husband, Cheever Prentice, a New Harbor fisherman, who was another inspiring influence. They lived and worked in Maine and Florida and shared a deep love and appreciation for life’s treasures; family and friends.
Bud later established the first local consignment shop in Aunt Addie’s (Bud’s mother-in-law) garage, and still, at the age of 81, passionately scoured the local shops bargain hunting for her friends and family.
Bud is predeceased by her husband, James Cheever Prentice; infant daughter, twin to Susan; her step-son, Robert Prentice, and very good friend, Marie Crook.
She is survived by her brother, Henry Whitney and wife Barbara, children, William Ropes, III, and partner Lynn Kelloch, Susan Ropes and fiancé, Mark Hanley, Claudia Ropes and partner, Adam Russell; surrogate daughter, Lori Crook; grandchildren, Kendra Palmer, Whitney and Alec Ropes and their mother, Karen Ropes; nephews, Steven Whitney, Peter, Jeffrey and Timothy Aalberg; niece, Sharon Whitney; step-children, Arthur Prentice and Annette Cash; and many dear and appreciated friends but in particular, Fran Lash, Ramona Sawyer, Jane Alley, Marie Lane, Linda Sawyer and Carla Fossett.
Donations may be made to the New Harbor First Responders, c/o Jeri Pendleton, So. Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554 or the Round Pond Methodist Church, 6 So. Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
A family graveside service is planned.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
