Sally Rudney

1959 - 2023

Rudney

Sally Rudney

1959-2023

Sally Elizabeth Rudney died peacefully at her home in Takoma Park, Maryland on September 19, 2023, surrounded by her devoted husband, Scott Hoekman, and children Ava and Gabe Hoekman. For nearly four years, Sally courageously confronted EGFR-positive lung cancer, to which she succumbed shortly before her 64th birthday.



A leader in philanthropy, Sally was the founding executive director of the Community Foundation for Montgomery County and led the foundation from 1996-2013. She subsequently established Philanthropy Advisory Services, helping donors to maximize the impact of their charitable giving. Her primary client was the Cliff and Deborah White Family Foundation. She was also an active supporter of progressive causes and candidates ranging from Shirley Brandman to Jamie Raskin.



Sally was born October 18, 1959, in Washington, DC, and grew up in Chevy Chase DC, the daughter of Shirley (Greifer) Rudney and Gabriel Rudney and the younger sister of Robert Rudney. She was raised in a Jewish home, and later garnered much spiritual strength from the values and practices of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She graduated from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC and later served as a trustee of the school from 2000-2008.



She earned her BA degree with honors in French and African Studies from Brown University, where she wrote her senior thesis in French. She went on to earn her MBA from the Yale School of Management.



Sally's lifelong commitment to working for social justice began at Overseas Education Fund, where she supported programs that benefited women and their families around the globe. Later she launched her career in philanthropy with Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts.



Her expansive career in philanthropy resulted in numerous awards and honors including the Inspired Leadership Award from The Community Foundation for Montgomery County at its 20th anniversary (2016); Peacemaker of the Year from the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County (2013); Champion of Education by College Tracks (2013); Honorary Degree from Montgomery College (2013) and appointment as a trustee of the Montgomery College Foundation (2013-2017); and Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for creating and sustaining the Neighborhood Safety Net Initiative (2010).



In 1993, Sally married her soulmate, Scott Hoekman, at Friends Meeting at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Theirs was a beautiful love story and partnership. Upon relocating to Takoma Park in 1994, Sally became a neighborhood leader, organizer, and community builder. Sally and Scott treasured time in New Hampshire, where they built a home on Loon Pond in Hillsborough. Together with family and friends, they enjoyed kayaking, traipsing through the woods, and lounging on their dock sharing good conversation, IPAs and gin and tonics.



Sally was a devoted and engaged mother to Ava and Gabe. She was proud that she raised her two children to young adulthood, infused with her values and commitment to making the world a better place. Sally loved to travel, including special trips to Paris with Ava and to New York City with Gabe, adventures they talked about often in the years since.



She was most well known for her radiant smile, sparkling eyes, playful sense of humor, charismatic spirit, empathy for all people, devotion to those she loved, and her extraordinary ability to connect with and mentor others.



As if to a magnet, people were drawn to Sally's charm and caring warmth. She liked to playfully tease and was known for her one-line zingers and at the same time was introspective and intuitive. Everywhere Sally lived and worked, she prioritized relationships, recognizing the importance of being connected to others by weaving networks of people in her neighborhoods and professional circles. She especially took time to get to know young people, recognizing their strengths and talents and supporting their goals.



Sally is survived by her husband, Scott Hoekman, their children Ava and Gabe; her brother Robert Rudney, his wife Joelle, and their children Camille, Nathanael, and Sarah; mother-in-law Juna Hoekman, sister- and brother-in-law Sandra and Brian Dekkinga and their daughters Allie and Piper; and scores of extended family, chosen family and dear friends.



To continue Sally's legacy, contributions may be made to the Sally Rudney Memorial Fund, a component fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. https://bit.ly/sallyrudneymemorialfund Contributions to this fund will be used to continue Sally's passion for supporting critical research to defeat EGFR-positive lung cancer, and to support patient-centered initiatives for those living with EGFR-positive lung cancer. Please contact donorservices@thecommunityfoundation.org if you need assistance making a contribution.



A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, at 2 p.m., at Sidwell Friends School, 3825 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016.