Governor Bryan Remembers Lena Schulterbrandt as Cultural Icon, Advocate for Town of Frederiksted

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today expressed condolences on behalf of his family and the people of the Virgin Islands on the passing of Virgin Islands icon Lena Abel- Schulterbrandt.

“To Mrs. Schulterbrandt’s children, Shelton, Stewart, and Nicole, their family and many friends, we pray that the loving memories of our St. Croix elder will bring you great comfort as you prepare to lay her to rest,” said the Governor.

Mrs. Schulterbrandt, an educator, who retired after 40 years of service to the public school system, was recognized as a Frederiksted warrior. Retaining the beauty, culture, and heritage of the town was her passion.

A co-founder of Our Town Frederiksted, Mrs. Schulterbrandt lived the organization’s mission “to be an effective advocate for and to implement programs to enhance the economic, physical, and social quality of Frederiksted life” daily.

Residents fondly remember how she spent countless hours calling and urging homeowners to rehabilitate their properties, working side by side with town dwellers and business owners to keep the town clean, and her generosity in supporting the good intentions of others who shared pride in the town. 

As a child, Lena attended Frederiksted’s St. Patrick’s School, before earning her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University and her master’s degree from the University of Miami. She returned home to be a staunch supporter of the church and the school. A devout Catholic, she hardly ever missed church service or the opportunity to help keep church and school programs funded.

“A culinary artist of local favorites, Mrs. Schulterbrandt loved to cook, and many of us took great pleasure in accepting a plate of her food. The annual Crucian Christmas Festival, of which she served as president for many years, was one of her favorite celebrations, and so it is befitting that the newly formed Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals had plans to honor her this December. 

While family members will now accept the honor in her stead, we are sure that Lena would have been as proud of this recognition as we are to show our appreciation for who she was and all she accomplished in her lifetime, said Governor Bryan.

The Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Complex on St. Croix, home of the annual Agrifest, was named in honor of Lena’s husband of many years, a former agriculture commissioner who died in 2000. 

Frederiksted’s former Danish School, rededicated in 2009 as the Arthur Abel Complex, and now home to the Lt. Governor’s offices, was named to honor her father.

“We have been blessed that Lena Abel-Schulterbrandt walked among us, and we know that her spirit will endure forever. May she rest in God’s loving arms in eternal peace, concluded the Governor.

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