Long Time Basking Ridge Resident Passes Away At Age 81

Sally Wirth Bush, a beloved resident of Basking Ridge for 45 years, died on November 2, 2014, of complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was 81 years old. She was a loving mother and grandmother, a treasured friend, and an award-winning artist.

Mrs. Bush was born in 1933 in Elyria, Ohio, and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University. She was married to Charles Harry Bush for 55 years, until his death in 2012, and will be dearly missed by her four children, Karen Bush, Steve Bush, Sarah Bush and Laura Bush, their spouses, her five grandchildren and her new great-granddaughter.

An avid artist whose primary medium was watercolor, Mrs. Bush devoted over 30 years to the development and success of The Center for Contemporary Art (formerly known as The Somerset Art Association) in New Jersey. She served in numerous leadership roles as the organization grew, including as its President and Executive Director from 1979-1990. She then served as its School Director and, upon her retirement in 1992, remained active on its Board of Trustees for many years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, at 140 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, followed at noon by a luncheon to celebrate her life at The Olde Mill Inn, at 225 Route 202, Basking Ridge. Family, friends, neighbors and colleagues are welcome to attend and share or listen to fond memories of Sally.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Center for Contemporary Art, 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921. Cards or notes for the family may be sent to bush.laura@comcast.net or Laura Bush, 522 Old York Road, Flemington, NJ 08822.