Olive Pridgen

Olive Maria Pridgen NORFOLK - Olive Pridgen was born in New York City April 15, 1921, where she was raised and educated. After graduation from St. Luke's School of Nursing in 1943, she entered the U.S. Army and spent the duration of World War II in England and Europe caring for the wounded. She returned to New York to attend graduate school, and was active in theatrical productions. A visit to her parents in Honolulu led to her meeting Rufus Pridgen, a career Navy officer, and they married in 1952. They had one child, Clinton. Mrs. Pridgen satiated her thirst for education with several advanced degrees at various universities, including a masters in library science at the University of Hawaii. Her professional activities ranged from developing children's theater programs, school nurse, and school librarian in various Honolulu schools. Upon retiring from her work in Honolulu, she relocated to Norfolk and worked for many years as an interviewer for the U.S. Census Bureau and other agencies. At age 80 she published her first novel, "Passport Home," under her penname of Maria Casscells, achieving her lifelong dream of being a published author. Mrs. Pridgen was preceded in death by her husband Rufus; and her son, Clinton. She is survived by granddaughters, Christy Key and Melissa Hussell; nieces, Carol Naish and Nancy Melgoza and their families; and by great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Trinity Key. She will be missed by her relatives and friends, by the parsonage and community of St. Andrew's Church in Ghent where she was an active parishioner for many years. She touched many lives with her EFM (Education for the Ministry) courses where many had the opportunity to share her teaching and spiritual guidance. It has often been said by all who knew Olive, that she influenced every life she touched. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Andrews Church in Norfolk Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cremate.org.