Retired junior high school social studies teacher and school board member Sue Prokosch of Newburgh, New York, succumbs to Covid-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of many talented educators. One of these is Sue Prokosch, a retired teacher and school board member from Newburgh, New York. She passed away on March 30, 2020. She was 72 years old.

“Sue was an extraordinary woman with a large heart,” remembers her niece, Gina Cook. “She had strong ethics, beliefs, and views and was very candid. We always knew where we stood with her. We valued her opinion and worked hard to make her proud.”

Sue was born on January 14, 1948, in Newburgh, New York. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1966. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Teaching at State University of New York, Oneonta.

Sue inaugurated her career as an educator in 1970 when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher at North Junior High. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she worked closely with administrators on scheduling, curriculum, and peer mentoring. She also served her community as a basketball coach, even supporting girls sports before they were commonplace. Throughout her entire career, Sue was known to be dedicated to her students, especially those without a voice, and she worked tirelessly to help them achieve purpose in their lives.

After 33 years in the classroom, the veteran educator retired in 2003. Post-retirement, she spent ten years as a Newburgh school board member. During this time, Sue served on nearly every Board committee. Most recently, she served as the Chairwoman for the Buildings and Grounds and Personnel committees. She also supported the Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC), an organization that provide high-quality academic enrichment opportunities to the children and families of Newburgh.

To read more about Sue, see her obituary at recordonline.com.