In Memoriam: Ruth E. Dudrow, 88

Obituary provided by Munson-Lovetere Funeral Homes, Inc.

Community and Church Leader Ruth E. (Marshall) (Smith) Dudrow passed away peacefully on Dec. 24, 2013, the day before her 89th birthday, at The Watermark at East Hill in Southbury, CT. She was surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born on Dec. 25, 1924 in Chicago, Ill. Her parents were Harold and Lora (Roberts) Marshall. Ruth attended Monmouth College in Illinois, where she met her husband, Allen E. Smith. She graduated from Capitol University in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Connecticut in 1947, and lived in Oxford, Bethany, and Heritage Village in Southbury, before moving to Watermark at East Hill in 1992, with her second husband, Daniel E. Dudrow.

Ruth was an active volunteer in churches and libraries. She was Superintendent of Religious Education and taught Sunday school at the UCC in Oxford, and helped start and volunteered in the Oxford Center School library. After moving to Bethany, she became the first female Deacon in the history of the Bethany Congregational Church, as well as serving as President of the Bethany Garden Club. She was also an active member of the Naugatuck Women’s Study Club, serving as president. She was a member and State Vice President of the American Association of University Women.

Ruth was instrumental in founding the library at Watermark, where she served as the Head of the Library Committee. Ruth also served three terms as President of the Resident Council at Watermark, and was a member of the Board of Trustees.

Ruth was the widow of Dr. Allen Smith and Daniel Dudrow. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Smith Hubelbank and her husband Jay, of Washington, CT, and her son, Douglas Smith of Stratford, CT. She leaves two granddaughters, Jenna Tennant and her husband Don of Chula Vista, CA, and Emily Hubelbank of New York City. She also leaves her two great grandchildren Benjamin and Ella Tennant of Chula Vista, CA. Ruth is also survived by her brother, Hubert Marshall and his wife Rachi of California, as well as a nephew Jonathan Marshall and his wife Lorrie, and one grandniece Vita Wallace, one grandnephew Ishmael Wallace and two great grandnieces, Katie and Jenny Marshall. Additionally, she is survived by four stepchildren, Daniel Dudrow, Ann Terhes, Jill Biggs, and Joan Thompson. She was predeceased by her niece, Nancy Wallace.

Her family would like to thank the entire Watermark at East Hill staff, as well as the Masonicare VNA and Hospice Staff for the exceptional care they gave Ruth.

There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate Ruth’s life at the United Church of Christ, 283 Main St. North, Southbury, CT on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Walter Pittman officiating. Following the service, there will be a reception at Watermark at East Hill, 611 East Hill Rd., Southbury, CT.

Memorial donations in Ruth’s name may be made to The Resident’s Fund at Watermark at East Hill, 611 E. Hill Rd., Southbury, CT 06488, or to the United Church of Christ, 283 Main St. North, Southbury, CT 06488.