Mary Lee (Williams) Rudd, born March 20, 1934, passed away December 2, 2020, following a brief illness.
Mary Lee is survived by her four children: Angela Rudd, South Bend, IN; Ned (Jennifer) Rudd Jr, St. Louis, Mo; Amy (Mindy) Burch, Englewood, OH; and Jason (Brittany) Rudd, Lynn Haven, FL; one brother John Williams (Dawn), Mentone, IN; two sisters, Ruth (Herb) Wathen, Plymouth, IN and Diana (Tim) Twiss, Ft Wayne, IN as well as 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by one brother, Walter Reed “Butch” Williams Jr., one sister, Carolyn Jean Wintrode and her beloved husband of 52 years, Ned Rudd, Sr.
Mary Lee will be remembered by the many students passing through the Plymouth Community School Corp as the long-time secretary at Lincoln Jr High School.
She was very active in her church- Trinity United Methodist – in Plymouth. She was a member of United Methodist Women, active participant in the regular Sunday choir as well as Bell Choir during special music presentations. She also served her Church and Community in such events as delivering Christmas gifts to those on the “Angel Tree”, Feeding Hungry Children campaign and donating food/clothing to Marshall County Neighborhood Center.
Mary Lee was a member of Delta Theta Tau and an AVID Cubs fan. She logged many hours in a lawn chair or on bleachers as her kids and grandkids participated in their activities, regardless of the miles. She started a tradition of hand-quilting personalized Christmas stockings many years ago for her children and continued that tradition for each new member of her extended family until she was no longer able.
As much as we wish to celebrate her life with family and friends, we acknowledge the unprecedented times we live in today. We hope to have a Memorial Service to honor her memory in the not-too-distant future.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr. Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Trinity United Methodist Church, 425 S Michigan St. Plymouth, IN 46563.
Betsy Story says
Angie and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. It doesn’t mater how old we are the passing of a parent is difficult. Mary Lee was a fun loving person and will be greatly missed. You are in my prayers.
Manny Caban says
Ned and family, so sorry for your loss, your mom always had a smile on her whenever I seen her, prayers are with you and family.
Manny Caban
David A Scheetz says
Our condolences to the family of Mary Lee , the world had lost a wonderful human being. David and Guinevere Scheetz.
Barb Klapp says
Family of Mary Lee
My most sincere sympathy in the passing of your Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and Sister. She was a special lady who loved her family dearly. I know she will be deeply missed by all.
Deb Cook says
May the God of all comfort be with you through this difficult time. I have many fond memories of Mary Lee. She was a wonderful, kind, caring woman.
Jan Boos Bean says
My heartfelt sympathies to each one of Mary’s loved ones. She was so proud of her family. A very special lady.
Kathryn says
I am so sorry for your loss. She was one of my favorites. I always loved Tuesday’s at Ponderosa because I knew I would get to see her pretty face.
Kathryn
Holli says
Th the Rudd family
Mary Lee was certainly one of a kind. You are lucky to have had her in your lives. She is with Doc in heaven
God speed
Sincerely
Holli
Mr. & Mrs. Heishman says
You are in our thoughts and prayers. She was a wonderful special lady that will be missed.
Brad McCool says
Angie and family,
On behalf of your co-workers at Honeywell, we wish to offer our deepest condolences on your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Brad Fackler says
Teresa and I have many fond memories of Mary Lee. When we lived in our first house, Doc and Mary Lee were our neighbors. When I started working at Lincoln as a school counselor, Mary Lee took me under her wing and helped me learn about my new school, faculty, students and their families. She was kind, but no nonsense. I can never repay her and Nancy McPherron for helping me adjust to a new school at my “older” age. Thinking of Mary Lee always brings a smile to my face. Love to her family and to her memory.
Jenifer George says
My heart breaks for you and God has welcomed a faithful servant. I will miss her lovely smile, beautiful voice, and caring heart at church. She is a blessing to all who kew her.
Karla Mitchell says
Ned,Angie, and Family
I was shocked and saddened to hear of your Mom. She and I have communicated quite a bit on social media. However it had been several weeks that we had. Prayers for you all to get thru these tough times. Karla (Myers) Mitchell
Jeffrey Wintrode says
My cousins, I am so sorry for your loss. Her laugh and humor will be missed!
Sara Flickner Houlihan says
A thank you to Mrs. Rudd- so many memories of her in the office at Lincoln Jr. High. In a lawn chair at ball games. At her house watching a Clint Eastwood marathon. She was a very special lady to me. Thinking of the entire Rudd family. Sara Houlihan
Diane Lyons says
I’m very sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Mary Lee very well, but I sure enjoyed her comments to Amy on Facebook. She had a sense of humor. She seemed to be a wonderful woman.
Carol Finkbiner says
Rudd family both Men and I are so sorry to learn of May Lee’s passing. We are keeping all of you in our prayers.
Donna Pontius says
My sympathy to Mary Lee’s family. Blood drive or election, I always looked forward to seeing her and sharing a laugh. She was a special lady.
Ren and Beverly says
What a “great lady”!!! She was always so much fun to be around. She always asked us about our family and we would exchange stories. Truly a kind and loving person.
Love,
Ren and Beverly
Debbie Davis says
Angela, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. It’s so hard to lose anyone. I pray for you and your family. I’m so glad that she got to know Wyatt. You are in my prayers. 🙏🙏
Angela Rudd says
Thank you so much. It’s actually my grandma but I am also very grateful that she was able to know Wyatt as well. He is a very lucky little guy he now has the best guardian angel looking over him!!!
David Morrow says
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Your Mom was always happy, positive, and very funny. I will always cherish her memory and when ever I’d see her she would greet me with the same warmth she did 50 years ago. RIP Mary Lee you are now reunited with Doc.
Steve and Chris Wathen says
Steve and I are in shock. Hanging out with Aunt Mary was always a highlight of our visits, she kept us in stitches. Our hearts go out to the Rudd family.
Poaolo Palmitessa says
To all the Rudd family I offer my condolences to you all. I for a short time was a son in law to Mary and Ned but even after all the time passed I allways respected them both. I allways loved running into Mary I did get to see her election day and very happy I did she allways had a hug and smile when we saw each other, hugs and love to you all.
Jodi Eveland says
Rudd Family-
Thinking of all of you during this time of loss. Lifting your family up in prayer. Hugs!
Jodi Hilliard Eveland
Steven Clark says
Prayers for the Rudd Families.
Tom and Brenda Tomlin says
Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. Mary Lee welcomed me into her home and family as if she had known me all her life. She will be truly missed and the Blueberry Festival will never be the same without Mary Lee!! RIP. Thoughts and Prayers are with the family at this very difficult time.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Berger says
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Rudd. I have fond memories of her when I was a student going through Lincoln JR High. Prayers to you all during this time.
Mike Dixon says
Deb and I send our heartfelt condolences to Mary’s family. Mary Lee always put a smile on my face, we would have great times and conversation when we saw each other. She was one of the nicest ladies I had the pleasure of knowing. I will always hold dear the many memories I had with Ned and Mary. May God bless and keep the family in his almighty arms as life goes on.
Fred and Kathy funk says
So sorry for your lost. Mary was great lady. God bless
Susan says
Jason, Amy,
Very sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She was a wonders woman to embodied “family”. So enjoyed seeing her & reminiscing when Aunt Barbara Zimet came a few summers ago. Thinking of you!
Susan Benedict Wells
James and Nancy Baldwin says
Nancy and I loved Mary Lee as long as we knew her. Nancy and Mary Lee worked for years at Lincoln and shared many great memories. I knew her though our church where we met every Sunday. She was kind and generous. A friend to all. We are sorry for your loss.
Sarah Young says
The number of condolences and the common phrases in many says it all. Mary Lee had the gift of making us all feel special. We were always happy to see her because she had the unique ability to make us laugh and feel positive. That is one tremendous gift!
Haven’t seen you in a long time, Angie, but am certainly thinking about you. Amy, Ned, and Jason, you have my sincere sympathy too.
You are all in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Sarah Young
Christy (Freeman) Murphy says
Jason, Amy, Angie, and Ned Jr, (and family),
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom meant the world to me. She was the neighbor Momma to me. She was so sweet. Also smiling. She was also a great role model.
She and I talked off of Facebook. I am going to miss that so much. I was thinking about her a couple of days ago when I realized I had not seen her on Facebook.
Memories: I will never forget the day I found out my Sister was having her first child. I was in eighth grade. I was walking out of Mr. Davis’s class while my best friend just happened to be coming down the hall and your Mom was coming from the office. We all met up at the same time. She was so very excited to share about the birth since she watched Cathy grow up. It will always be my favorite memory while being at Jr High. I wanted to share that with you.
Hugs and prayers from me and the Freeman family,
Christy (Freeman) Murphy
RIP Mrs. Rudd.. you will be missed.
Patricia Leech says
Rudd Family,
So very saddened to hear of Mary Lee’s passing, it breaks my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed many conversations with her over the years and I will miss those. She was a very special person and will be missed so very much. Your parents were awesome.
Nancy McPherron says
I am heart broken. She was a dear and special lady. Working with her was a great joy. We laughed together, cried together. We shared family stories. Her family was number one to her. She loved you all and was very proud of you all. She had a very wonderful sense of humor. She could talk me out of being upset about anything. I will miss her greatly. She is for sure an angel in heaven. You all have our sympathy. Love to all her family.
Larry Lacher says
Rudd sorry about your mother . I will miss her when we have coffee at martin’s on Thursday morninLarryg .
Robin Smith says
Dear Rudd Family,
Your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was so proud of all of you, and she loved each of you so much. I offer my sympathy and prayers for you on the passing of Mary Lee. We sang tenor together in the church choir. She was so loving and happy and faithful. And I enjoyed singing with her and talking with her. She always said something that made me smile. She just made the world seem brighter. I’m thankful our paths crossed.
Nelson Chipman says
Mrs. Rudd was everywhere with her unique smile. She was a sweet and kind lady. Godspeed Rudd family. Deepest condolences
Kevin Chaney says
So sorry to learn of Mary Lee’s passing. She was a delightful person with a positive attitude and infectious smile. We offer our condolences to the Rudd and Williams family. Kevin and Donna Chaney
Steve Keiser says
I will truly miss Mrs. Rudd. She was a wonderful friend and a devoted mother and grandmother. We always found time to talk about family, friends, and sports. She was such a huge Ohio State fan for sure. Growing up she was like another Mom to me. I know her and Ned Sr. will be watching the Ohio State game together today for sure. God Speed Mary. Your good friend, Steve Keiser
Marsha Warren Botset says
May I extend my deepest condolences to the family. Mary Lee was always so much fun to be around. I have been away from Plymouth for many years, but saw her at the O’Dell reunions and many Alumni Banquets. May God give you peace, comfort and understanding in your time of grief.
Pat Langfeldt says
I have only fond memories of Mary. We had so much fun bowling together years ago at Quicks Lane. She was a jewel that always made others happy to be around.
Michelle Rudd says
So sorry for your loss. I loved Aunt Mary’s sense of humor. She was a wonderful person.
Jerry & Barbara Holem says
Our sincere sympathy to the Rudd family. God’s blessings to you at this time.
Mary Lee always spoke to you no matter the circumstance and
always asked how you were doing. Always caring, compassionate to everyone.
Linda Langfeldt says
Mary Lee added some much to Lincoln. Her happy attitude & smile always gave me a boost. She will be missed!
Jim Tharp says
Ned and family, I was sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I have many fond memories of her. She was a big help to our family by providing rides to church and choir practice for our mom when she was in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s. Always saw her in the stands rooting on the Rockies. She tolerating our all night poker games at her dining table and not getting too upset when she discovered we snuck some of Doc’s homemade elderberry wine. She was a very special person devoted to her church. Memories will live on with friends and family. My heartfelt condolences. Jim
Lenore Jones says
I am so sorry to hear about Mary Lee’s passing. She was a great lady, wonderful mother and grandmother. Such a sweet lady! Hugs and prayers to the family!
Jeff and Lenore Jones
Gloria Buzzard says
I don’t have a negative memory of Mary Lee, she was a bright light always. Any time I saw her she made me smile. So sorry for your loss, Rudd family-she will be remembered with joy.
Terri Johnston Keller says
Angie, Ned, Jason and Amy,
So saddened by the news of your mama’s passing. As a friend of Angie and spending a lot of time in the Rudd residence in high school, I absolutely loved her! That admiration has and will continue. She sure will be missed by so many. May you and your families get through this difficult time with faith and love.
Julie and Mark Zanoff says
Angie, Ned, Amy and Jason. ,
So sorry for your loss. Aunt Mary was always so happy and full of grace. She could light up a room with her smile. Our prayers are with you and your families.
Love, Julie and Mark Zanoff.
Margaret Bonen says
Always will remember her smile, upbeat approach to life and generosity towards all. Her perfect pitch and blending voice helped me conquer alto parts in choir for years.
May you all have her spirit in remembrance.
Sincerely,
Margaret Sheridan Bonen
Barb Lowry says
Condolences to family and friends of Mary Lee. She loved life and enjoyed each day with a christian spirit. So caring, kind and fun-loving. We have known Mary Lee since our boys were in junior high and more recently when we volunteered together at the Red Cross blood drives. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Love and miss you, Mary Lee.
Barb & Bub Lowry
Davenport, FL
barbara k brunk says
I always loved and had so much fun with Mary Lee Rudd over the years. Just a fun loving type person all the way around. So sorry to her family.
Mary Beth Listenberger says
Sending my heartfelt sympathies to The Rudd Family, I sure loved your Mother and Grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Mary Beth Listenberger
Sharon Scott says
We are so sorry for your loss. Mary Lee was a great lady. We loved talking sports with her especially baseball. Her quick wit and sense of humor made her a joy to be around. Mary Lee lived life as it should be.
John & Sharon Scott
Cindy Wiseman says
So sorry, I have many memories of Mary Lee. Thoughts are with the family. ❤❤
Karen Kraszyk says
Sorry to hear this news… Callie’s grandma was such a generous and supportive band grandma. She will be missed. So sorry for your families loss ❤️
Peggy Joyce Magnesen says
Angie,
My condolences on your mother’s passing. During the Junior High years when we walked to Lincoln together, I remember stopping every morning in your kitchen as you grabbed your books. Your mom was always there and made me feel welcome. She had such a genuine smile and kind way about her. Later, I appreciated that she took time out of her busy days to drive us to baseball games and other activities. I ran into her last year and she seemed exactly the same as she had always been! She was a good and supportive mother. I know you will miss her.
Peggy Joyce Magnesen
Karen (Myers) Chamberlain says
Ned,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I was so excited to connect with her last year on FB, see and hear her love of and pride in her family, friends, community, and favorite teams, not to mention her political views which I totally agreed with.
Mary Lee was the very first “friend’s mom” that I had the pleasure of knowing, all the way back to pre-school days; she was always smiling, kind, loving and enjoying life.
She will be missed by so many, but so happy for her to be reunited with Ned, Sr.
Extend my condolences to Angie, Amy, Jason, and all of her grandchildren. Prayers for all of you in the days ahead, peace and strength to all of you.
Hugs to you and Jennifer.
Karen (Myers) Chamberlain
Greg Renz says
Angie, Ned, Jason, Amy & families –
So sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. Always enjoyed my times at the Rudd residence growing up with Doc and Mary Lee. Your mom was always so kind to me and my family. Always remember her with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She will be missed by many. God Bless to all.
Marilee Johnson says
Dear Family, I am so sorry to read of the passing of my Friend Mary Lee. Somehow I did not hear this and I just happen to be going through the Ob’s and there she is she will be missed so much! Jeanie graduated with me and we were close and I miss her so very much too. My Love and Prayers to each one of you. Marilee