Olive Jean Rudd

1923 - 2016
Olive Jean Whitaker Rudd, known to all as OJ, died on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at home in Newport, RI, aged 93. She was born on October 30, 1923 in Napoleon, Ohio, the daughter of Willis Frank "Wick" Whitaker and Gladys Stuckey Whitaker. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where her freshman roommate rechristened her as OJ. In the spring of 1945, this same roommate set up a blind date for OJ with an Army buddy of her brother's, Roger Rudd, which led to an engagement ten days later and a wedding in December of the same year.

Once it was safe for American civilians, OJ joined Roger in Japan where he was serving in the Occupation forces, and they both developed a great appreciation for Japanese culture. They returned to the United States for good in 1956 with two children and settled in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, where they added three more.

OJ devoted herself to raising her five children, Margaret Rudd (Tom Peden), Robert Rudd, Richard "Wick" Rudd, John Rudd, and Kate Humphreys (Douglass), but made time for volunteer work and travel. Once the children were old enough, she returned to paid work and had a very successful business career with, among others, AGS Properties and Maxaxam Corporation before helping run Rudd Tutoring & Translations, a business started by her husband.

OJ was predeceased by her parents and her sisters, Betty McGovney and Mary Lou Powers, as well as by her husband of 61 years Roger Rudd, her son John Rudd, her grandson Evan Rudd, and her late-in-life romantic partner Bill Gall. She is survived by her four other children and their children. Her thirteen beloved grandchildren are Jack Peden (SJ Kelly), Alice Peden, Jamie Rudd, David Rudd (Valerie), Michael Rudd, Caroline Rudd, Sam Rudd, Liza Rudd, Shannon Rudd, George Humphreys, James Humphreys, Olivia Humphreys, and Nicholas Humphreys. She is also survived by her niece Mary McGovney Gallagher and nephew John McGovney and their families along with numerous other extended family members and friends including Lola, "the beautiful yellow dog."

There was a memorial mass on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at St. Augustin's Church, Newport, RI. A graveside service will be held at the Rudd family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, E. 233rd Street and Webster Avenue, New York City on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Our family will always remember OJ for her love and support, her quick wit, her enjoyment of good company, and her innate kindness to any who needed a hand.