Phyllis Dudley

Phyllis Louise (Moulton) Dudley, 84, of Groton, Vermont, passed away peacefully at 5:00 a.m. on February 1, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center following a period of declining health.
Phyllis was born on February 13, 1941, at Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, the daughter of Myrtle "Myrtie" Kittredge and Philip Moulton. She grew up living in and around Caledonia County and graduated from McIndoes Academy in 1960.
Shortly after graduation, she married her first husband, Leonard Robert Mathis, and moved to New Jersey, where they welcomed their daughter, Virginia (Mathis) Hilton Clark.
Phyllis was known for her strong work ethic and her pride in every job she held. She often spoke fondly of her many years working alongside her father on the family farm and at his restaurant, Phil's Drive-In. Over the years, she worked in wallpapering and painting for Ralph Heath, attended River Valley Community College in the Medical Records Technician program for medical coding, and once she graduated, Phyllis worked at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover. She also owned and operated her own cleaning and landscaping business, Willow Services. In between careers, Phyllis drove a school bus-something she truly enjoyed, especially getting to know all "her kids." In her later working years, she returned to farm life as a milk tester, a role that brought her great joy and allowed her to be close to the farmlands she cherished.
Phyllis lived in several states throughout her life, beginning in Vermont, then moving to New Jersey and California before returning east to Vermont. She briefly moved to New Hampshire and finally settled back in her home state of Vermont.
She married the love of her life, James Dudley, on October 3, 1971, in Woodsville, New Hampshire. They shared many years together until his passing on November 3, 2020.
Phyllis has been survived by her daughter, Virginia Clark; her two granddaughters, Patricia Hilton and her son Brennan Pike, and Stephanie Richards and her sons, Brandon Hilton, Asher Hilton, and Kyle Field; her sister Virginia Darrell; her brother Philip Moulton Jr.; sisters-in-law Nancy Saltmarsh and JoAn Ward; and many nieces and nephews.
She was a member of the Eastern Star for many years. She found joy in farming, gardening, crafts, beekeeping, and most of all, her family. Animals were always part of Phyllis's life-horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and bees all held a special place in her heart. We cannot remember a time when she did not have an animal companion.
Her beloved cat, Chita, now resides with her granddaughter Patricia and family, surrounded by love and many other pets.
Phyllis will be remembered for her hardworking spirit, her deep love of animals and nature, and the devotion she showed to her family throughout her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late spring or early summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude's in Phyllis's memory.

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