Gloria J. (Tessier) Rudy, 76, of Dracut, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell after a long illness, with her family by her side.
Born in Lowell on April 16, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Valmore A. Tessier and the late Beatrice F. (Brodeur) Tessier. She was raised and educated in Lowell.
Gloria devoted more than twenty years to her work as a solderer in the electronics manufacturing industry, retiring from Honeywell in the 1980s. Before health challenges limited her activities, she found great joy in tending to her yard and filling each summer with beautiful potted flowers. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren and especially enjoyed baby sitting them. She also found pleasure in playing bingo, trying her luck on slot machines, and caring for her beloved dogs, whom she spoiled with love and gave the very best life.
A devoted daughter, she lovingly cared for her mother during the final years of her life, demonstrating the compassion and selflessness that defined her character. Her children and grandchildren eagerly anticipated her annual telephone rendition of "Happy Birthday" a treasured tradition that will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
She was also known for her delightful collection of yellow smiley-face memorabilia, a reflection of the warmth, optimism, and joy she brought to those around her. Her family will forever cherish those memories and the countless ways she touched their lives.
She was the beloved wife of Dennis L. Rudy Sr., to whom she had been married for 60 years, having exchanged vows on March 5, 1966.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis L. Rudy Sr., of Dracut; her two sons, Dennis Rudy Jr. and his wife Rena of Hudson, NH, and Kevin M. Rudy and his wife Kimberly of Dracut; her four grandchildren, Dillon Rudy and his wife Elizabeth of Dracut, Tara Rudy of Dracut, and Jonathan Rudy and Olivia Rudy, both of Hudson, NH; her siblings, Lorraine Anderson of Dracut, Pauline Petropoulos of Lowell, Donna Gomez and her husband Frank of Lowell, and Ruth Gordon and her husband Eric of Lowell, as well as many nieces and nephews; and her brothers-in-law, Brian Rudy and his wife Anne of Nashua, NH, and Keith Rudy and his fiancée Cheryl of Lowell. She was the sister of the late Valmore Tessier, the late Claire Gauthier, and the late Priscilla Szelog.
All are welcome to attend her calling hours on Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 4-8 p.m at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816.
On Friday, June 26, her Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick Church in Lowell at 1 p.m. (please meet directly at the church).