WILMINGTON — Cherie Lynn (Sestito) Prude, born on November 5, 1974, in New London, CT, passed away on March 17, 2024, in Wilmington, NC on her way home, at the young age of 49. Cherie’s life was full of love, laughter and adventure.
After high school, Cherie went on to obtain her Associate’s degree in Substance Abuse Counseling from Wilmington Community College. From a child, she always excelled at spelling, to the point of correcting her teacher’s misspelled words.
She worked at the Mellow Mushroom Restaurant but her main role she treasured most was being Mom to the real loves of her life, Devan Sestito and Ethan Prude. They will both miss her and the light that she brought into their lives.
She had a passion for road trips and music, especially the Grateful Dead. If the right wind blew, she was ready to hit the road and meet up with friends. The past few years, she discovered a passion for baking and loved to share her homemade goodies with her family and friends. Cherie embraced her Roman Catholic faith which gave her guidance and solace throughout her life.
Although Cherie was a loving mother of two, she had room in her heart for more than just her family. She saw beauty in everyone and everything. She had a gift for helping people and her gentle, beautiful spirit drew people to her. If you were a misfit, old or handicapped, she loved you even more.
In addition to her two boys, Cherie will be deeply missed by her husband, Jay Prude; father Frank Sestito, Sr. and “Mama Beti” (Elizabeth Nunes); mother, Barbara Ann Gernhard; brother, Patrick Mulcahy of Ledyard, CT; nephew, Michael Mulcahy, niece, Ryleigh Mulcahy; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Frank Sestito, Jr. and her mother in-law, Catherine (Dempsey) Tonucci.
Services for Cherie will be private and held at a later date, with details to be announced by the family.
If she could leave you with two quotes that she framed her life’s motto around it’d be “Everyone deserves a second chance” and “I know I am not perfect and I do not claim, to be but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.”-Bob Marley.
In the hearts of those who loved her, Cherie’s memory will forever remain as a beacon of light and hope. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith. May her spirit find peace and may her memory continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
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