Elizabeth Lynn Hay Rudy

1934 - 2021

Elizabeth Lynn Hay Rudy
July 30, 1934 - September 12, 2021
Elizabeth Lynn Hay Rudy, family matriarch, biological illustrator and local historian, died peacefully at home barely a month following her 87th birthday. Lynn was born July 30, 1934, in Bakersfield, California to Byron Wesley Hay and Elizabeth Blodget; their first daughter and eldest of their five children. (Her siblings are: Timothy Hay (Marcha), Kate Hunter (Tim/deceased), Dan Hay (Mikie) and Dick Hay/deceased (Debbie).
Lynn grew up at 219 Lincoln Street, surrounded by her large and close-knit family. She attended local elementary school and graduated from East Bakersfield High School. She was a competitive swimmer and a lifeguard. Lynn had many friends from her Bakersfield days, returning often for family visits and high school reunions.
Lynn attended Stanford University and graduated with a BA in Fine Arts in 1955.
In lieu of attending graduation ceremonies, Lynn married Paul (Jerry) P. Rudy Jr. in Menlo Park, June 18, 1955. They immediately moved to the Sonoma Coast, and taught at Stillwater Cove Ranch School for Boys, a private boarding school owned and run by Jerry's parents, Paul and Clarinel Rudy. Lynn and Jerry were married for 66 years.
It was at Stillwater Cove Ranch that their three daughters were born: Susan in 1956, Annie in 1957 and Maggie in 1958. Annie died November 3, 2015.
Jerry and Lynn left Stillwater in 1961, moving to Davis, CA so that Jerry could gain his doctorate in biology. Lynn had met the eminent marine biologist Joel Hedgpeth, who became a friend. He asked her to do biological illustrations for his upcoming field guide "Introduction to Seashore Life." And so, Lynn began her career as a biological illustrator, working with Dr. Hedgpeth, her husband Jerry, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others. Lynn's knowledge of marine life, and her attention to detail made her an excellent taxonomist and researcher in her own right.
Being married to a field biologist meant spending time in the outdoors and in faraway places. Lynn could be found doing her drawing on shaky camping tables in Italy and Baja, living rooms in Sebastopol, CA and Nahant, MA, and in her lab workspace at the Oregon Institute of Biology, where Jerry was the Director for 25 years.
When Jerry retired, the couple returned Stillwater Cove Ranch. Lynn became involved with many local community events; helping start a Sunday Market and a Garden Group. She also adopted the Fort Ross State Historical Park, where she worked on the Call House gardens, pruned the historic orchard, wrote articles and became the manager and head docent of the Ranch-Era Call House. She loved the staff and fellow volunteers at the Park, especially her "Call Girls," who helped interpret programs with her there.
Always interested in California history, Lynn published seven deeply researched and beautifully illustrated books. Three were about her family and Bakersfield: "A brief history of the Hay Family of Bakersfield", "Grandad: Hugh A. Blodget in Early Bakersfield" and "Old Bakersfield: Sites and Landmarks, 1875-1915". In addition, she wrote several volumes on the Sonoma Coastal area where she lived: "The Old Salt Point Township: Sonoma County, California 1841-1941 and "The Old Salt Point Township: Sonoma County California. Volume II. Ranch Era Settlers 1843- ". Lynn was also a much sought-after speaker, genealogical researcher and expert on local history.
Lynn was smart and funny, honorable and loyal, beautiful and kind. She was an exceptional cook who loved good food and company, and a fabulous gardener who had a way with asparagus and a love of sweet peas. She sewed most of her family's clothes, sometimes entirely by hand. Lynn's wartime and depression era upbringing gave her a deep, lifelong thriftiness that put all three daughters through college without loans. And she could roll three crusts out of one pie dough recipe.
She was beloved by her husband, daughters, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial gathering for Lynn will follow at a later date.