Vashti Hewitt Mapp, age 90, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, passed away peacefully on June 26 at the Brighton Gardens of Tampa Assisted Living Community in Tampa. Fla.
Mrs. Mapp was born to the late Sebert and Almina Hewitt on Jan. 27, 1929, in Estate Rattan on St. Croix, the ninth of 13 children. At the age of 19, she relocated to New York State in pursuit of education and employment opportunities.
After moving from Tarrytown to Brooklyn, she met and later married the late Albert Mapp in 1950. Upon attaining her GED and completing all requirements to practice as a licensed practical nurse; Vashti would hold two full-time nursing positions: one at Long Island University Hospital and another at a nursing home in the Bronx.
In 1971, she returned to St. Croix, where she would continue as a licensed practical nurse specializing in neonatal intensive care at the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital and later the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital until her retirement in 1994.
After retiring, she immensely enjoyed activities such as baking, crossword puzzles, farming, gardening and traveling. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and helped to care for the ones she called her “preemies.”
Vashti was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Mabel, Drucilla, Leola, Albertha, Priscilla; and brothers: Nathaniel and Sebert Jr.
She is survived by four sons: David W. Mapp Sr., Douglas O. Mapp I, Governor Kenneth E. Mapp and Curtis A. Griffin Sr. Esquire; and her stepdaughter, Edith Ann Ball; daughters-in-law: Ruby E. Mapp, Claudette M. Mapp and Joyce Dore-Griffin; and 11 grandchildren: David Mapp Jr. (Dawn), Douglas O. Mapp II (Sarah), Vashti F. Mapp, Leah A. Mapp (fiancé Justin Hill), Claude D. Mapp (Ilyin), DeWayne W. Mapp Sr., Kenneth E. Mapp (Kathryn), Curtis A. Griffin Jr., Lexandra E. Amos (Miles), Danielle M. Griffin and Adriana M. Griffin.
She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Jedidiah C. Mapp, Janelle A. Mapp, Malik Mapp, Jocelyn R. Mapp-Hill, Safiya D. Mapp, DeWayne W. Mapp Jr., Christian Mapp, Leilani C. Amos, Mahari M. Amos and Kaiden Mapp; sisters: Griselda Pender, Almira Harris and Janest Schrader; brothers: Abraham and Albert Hewitt; sisters-in-law: Doreen and Alicia Hewitt Close; best friend, Ms. Estia Francis; dear friend, Ms. Veronica DeLeon; excellent caregiver, Ms. Sylvia Archibald; as well as a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, long-time colleagues and other friends.
The Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, at City of Refuge Worship Center, 303 Barren Spot. A private interment ceremony will follow at the Hewitt Family Cemetery in Estate Rattan. In lieu of black attire, attending friends and family are kindly asked to wear soft colors.
Those wishing to send flowers may send them to the James Memorial Funeral Home at 6AA Estate La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00820.
