WORCESTER: Anna Eleanor (Selen) Rudge, age 91, a lifelong resident of Worcester, died peacefully early Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2013, at the Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was the devoted wife of Sidney V. “Bud” Rudge for 70 years.
Born on January 30, 1922, she was a daughter of the late John M. and Lucy (DeFlavio) Selen. Eleanor, as she was known, was a 1940 graduate of Commerce High School and worked at her parent’s business, Selen’s Bakery in Quinsigamond Village. She and Bud married in 1942, just as he was leaving for the South Pacific with the Marine Corps. Upon his return from the war, the couple settled in their own home and started a family.
Eleanor created a loving home environment for her children in their youth and served as Den Mother for her son’s Cub Scout Troup. When her youngest was in his teens, Eleanor began work as a clerk in the Registrar’s Office at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a work environment she enjoyed for nearly 25 years. She was also a very creative person who was a very talented folk artist. After she and Bud retired they joined forces – she the designer and he the woodworker and the two traveled to sell their products at area crafts fairs for the next 15 years.
The Rudges summered in Ogunquit, Maine, where they owned a cottage. They liked to travel to different areas of the country to visit family and friends. Attending reunions of the 3rd Marine Division were always happy events; when at home gardening was her preferred activity. A member of the Stella Chapter of the Eastern Star, Eleanor was also a lifelong member of Saint Michael’s-on-the-Heights Episcopal Church, where she was a choir member. One of her greatest joys was singing with the Worcester Chorus in their annual production of the “Messiah.”
Predeceased by her grandson Erik W. Lodding, she is survived by Bud; a daughter, Carole R. Lodding and husband David of Natick; two sons, Paul S. Rudge and his wife Ann of Sandy, UT, and Donald V. Rudge and his wife Pamela of Worcester; a sister, Norma Flodman of Worcester; six grandchildren, Jeffrey W. Lodding and his wife Lynn of Manchester, NH, Dr. Cynthia C. Lodding and her husband Derek Bunting of Salt Lake City, Jennifer D. Germer and her husband Kyle and Michael J. Rudge and his wife Robyn, all of Draper, UT, Matthew V. Rudge of Culver City, CA, and Lisa A. Rudge of Worcester; three step-grandchildren, Jodie Tucker, Ben Tucker, and Emily Tucker, all of Worcester; and five great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Hadley, Presley, Ryan, and Dylan.
There is no public service planned at this time. Donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to the Endocrine Division at Boston Children’s Hospital, c/o Children’s Hospital Trust, Attn: Mary Conway, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston 02215 (www.childrenshospital.org/tribute) or St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights Church, 340 Burncoat Street, Worcester, MA 01606. Please address all family correspondence c/o John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick, MA 01760.