Matthew T. Ludlum

MATTHEW T. LUDLUM  
Matthew T. Ludlum, beloved husband of Alicia F. Ault, and loving brother to Stephen Ludlum, Suzanne Ludlum and Carole Ludlum, died October 13, 2010. Mr. Ludlum, age 57, had esophageal cancer, but over the last year did not let his illness deter him from his never-ending quest to hear the best music, eat the finest meals and find the most superb Manhattan. Nor did he stop trying to meet the needs of the many loyal customers of his Y.B. Leaky Plumbing Service, giving advice by phone when he could no long crawl under their sinks. The Leaky business was a sideline during his long career with the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority. He retired from WMATA in 2003, but continued his side business. Mr. Ludlum also continued to travel to his beloved New Orleans, where he could indulge his passions and putter around his second home there. He took much pleasure in helping nurture a garden his wife planted at their New Orleans residence, seeing it as a life force. A kind and generous spirit with an eccentric streak, Mr. Ludlum was known for his thick framed eyeglasses, natty attire (always including a hat) and clever wit. He was much loved by his in-laws, his many friends and acquaintances and the doctors and nurses who cared for him. A celebration of his life will be held October 30 at a family home in Hume, VA. Interment will be held at a later date in New Orleans. Contributions can be made to Georgetown University's Lombardi Cancer Center's Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program, the Community Forklift in Edmonston, MD and the Green Project in New Orleans, LA.