Ursula Prada died unexpectedly at her home in Edgartown on July 9 after a short but intense illness. She was 62.

She grew up in and spent her adult life in Edgartown. As the longtime administrative assistant to the building inspector in Edgartown, she was well known amongst contractors, developers and new homeowners for her knowledgeable help in matters relating to this extremely active sector of the town’s economy.

Ursula was born to Richard and Maurita Prada on Dec 1, 1959, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She joined sisters Chris, Barbara and Mary, and brother Vincent. The Prada home at the southwest corner of Katama and Clevelandtown Roads was full of children, friends and family.

She was the baby of the family and suffered the fate of all youngest siblings in becoming the ultimate “tag-along.” When her siblings went to school, Ursula was babysat by their aunt Cat Enos on Upper Main Street; she adored Auntie Cat forever after and felt privileged to have enjoyed all that time with her.

She attended Edgartown Elementary School. Her relationship with Principal Murph Shapiro had an extra dimension because she babysat his children, and so he trusted her to briefriend and help new students as they found their places in the community. She was an excellent student and graduated in the class of 1978 at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

Ursula tagged along behind her sisters and their friends into horseback riding. She was a gifted rider and brought fearlessness to it. Her initial experiences with Augusta, an Island-renowned rambunctious white Shetland pony, probably led to her masterful control in riding.

She had nearly as much affinity with animals as her sister Barbara, the longtime Edgartown animal control officer. She often accompanied Barbara on after-hours calls. The sisters rescued and adopted many cats and dogs, and rehabbed these animals into long and healthy lives.

She earned a bachelor of arts from Clark University in Worcester, where she studied in their world-renowned geography department. She went on to two master’s degree programs, first at University of Illinois, Champain-Urbana, followed by Eastern Illinois University at Charleston. These degree programs involved vernacular architecture and historical administration, respectively. She used aspects of her education when she served on Edgartown’s historic district commission.

Though Ursula was never the knitter that her sisters Barbara and Mary became, she pioneered her family’s way into quilting. Her interest began when she studied American folk arts. The fabric collections and quilts that grew from her influence overtook aunts and cousins as well as sisters. She also specialized in the art of hand-dyeing fabrics.

She loved to read and was knowledgeable about science fiction, fantasy and murders/thrillers. She also loved to cook and read cookbooks. Her expertise in making jams and jellies of local fruits — particularly beach plum — was well known.

Ursula is survived by her sister Mary Dombrowski and brother in law Tom Dombrowski of Allentown, Pa.; her aunt Catherine Enos of Edgartown: five nephews and a niece; and numerous cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents Richard and Maurita Prada of Edgartown; her brother Vincent of Bethesda, Md.; her sister Christine Eissenstat of Frederick, Md.; and her sister Barbara of Edgartown.

A memorial is planned for a later date, likely in mid-September.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) Angell, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130. Online gifts can be made to the same fund at justgiving.com/fundraising/barbara-prada to enhance the fund created for her sister Barbara. For more information and online condolences, please visit chapmanfuneral.com.