Kathleen Ludgate, formerly of Needham, MA died Thursday, March 28th in Encinitas, CA after a long illness.
Kathleen was born in Scranton, PA on June 7, 1953, the daughter of the late John and Rita Ludgate.
She was the loving wife of James Hart (Encinitas, CA) with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.
Besides her loving husband James, she is survived by her son James and wife Rachel (Encinitas, CA), her son Patrick and wife Sabrina (Encinitas, CA), her daughter Colleen and husband George (Encinitas, CA), her five grandchildren, Lyla, Dean, James, Cora, and Caroline. She was the favorite sister of four brothers, John Jr. and wife Ta’ua (American Samoa), Michael and wife Carol (Cape May Courthouse, NJ) James and wife Maggie (Palermo, NJ), Paul and wife Rose (Sommers Point, NJ). Sister-in-law to Marianne Hutchins and husband Bill (Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA) and the late Eleanor Lessard and her late husband Jean. She loved her fifteen nieces and nephews, and countless friends and colleagues who brought joy to her life.
Kathleen was a graduate of Marywood University in Pennsylvania and worked for over 35 years at the US Census Bureau in both Washington DC and Boston, ending her career as director of the US Census Bureau for New England, New York, and Puerto Rico prior to her retirement in 2013.
Kathleen was a loving wife to James, a devoted mother, an active member of St. Joseph’s parish in Needham, and enjoyed volunteering at the Stanley Tippett hospice in Needham, MA and the Open Door food pantry in Gloucester, MA. She was a loyal sister, aunt, and friend and will be remembered for her drive, compassion, strength, and devotion to her family. She enjoyed amazing relationships everywhere she went, from Scranton, PA, to Alexandria, VA, Needham, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Boston, MA, and Encinitas, CA.
A visitation will occur at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 1305 Highland Ave. Needham on Saturday, April 13th from 9:00-10:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, Needham at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers her family suggests donations be made to the George G Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers (https://glenner.org).