Pamela Ann Prue

Pamela Ann Prue of Sudlersville, MD, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Kent Hospice House in Chestertown, MD. She was 68. Pam was born to Grace and Thomas Prue at Garfield Hospital in Washington, DC, on May 13, 1950. She and her twin sister, Penny, lived in and attended public schools in DC, graduating from Western High School (now known as Duke Ellington School of the Arts) in 1968. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Howard University in 1972, with a major in elementary education and a minor in speech pathology, as well as a M.Ed. with honors in 1979 from the University of Maryland with a concentration in reading. Pam began her teaching career at Holy Comforter School of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools. After two years there, she was hired by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). She immediately joined her sister, Penny, at Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Silver Spring, where she became known as “Little Miss Prue” because she taught the first, second, and third graders at the school. During her illustrious career in the MCPS school system, spanning 30 years until her retirement in 2003, Pam held a variety of teaching, leadership, and administrative positions that highlighted her passion and desire for learning. She became a Chapter 1 Teaching Specialist in 1978 and a Teacher Placement Assistant in the Division of Staffing in 1984. She was then selected for a series of positions with increasingly greater responsibilities, beginning with her participation in the Principal Training Program in 1986. Pam was chosen as the principal of Montgomery Knolls Elementary School the following year and was beloved by staff, students, and parents during her tenure there. She was then promoted to the role of Director of Early Childhood Programs and Services Division in 1994 and dedicated herself to ensuring a solid learning foundation for the school district’s preschool and kindergarten students. As a developer and avid supporter of programs for gifted and talented students and an administrator who created an exceptional educational environment, Pam received numerous awards throughout her career in recognition for her outstanding work. Two of her more notable honors included the Gifted and Talented Outstanding Administrator Award from the Gifted and Talented Association of Montgomery County in 1992 and the Distinguished Educational Leadership Award from The Washington Post Company Educational Foundation in 1993. After her retirement from MCPS, Pam continued supporting educational programs for young children by joining New Leaders for New Schools in 2008, where she served as a leadership coach for aspiring principals in a variety of DC public and charter schools. She later joined the leadership team of E.L. Haynes Charter School as a coach to the members of the school’s leadership team. While Pam’s professional life kept her very busy and engaged throughout her career, she understood the value of special interests and hobbies to balance her life. She loved thoroughbred horse breeding and racing activities as well as “smooth jazz” music and attending concerts. She was an avid fan of men’s college basketball and its annual “March Madness.” Pam’s faith was extremely important to her and she was a long-time member of Holy Cross and St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Churches in Rockville and Silver Spring, respectively. In September 2015, she relocated to Maryland’s Eastern Shore with Penny and two broodmares to begin their thoroughbred horse breeding venture. Pam was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Melvin Washington. She is survived by her loving and devoted twin sister, Penny; three nieces, Kathryn Ann Washington, Michelle Lynn Washington, and Pamela Beth Washington; other loving relatives; an amazing extended family; and many dear colleagues and friends. A mass will be held on Friday, December 28, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 508 High Street, Chestertown, MD, where relatives and friends may call one hour prior (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.). Interment will be private. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617.

Pamela Ann Prue

May 13, 1950 - December 21, 2018