Theresa Geraldine Ruddy's Obituary
Theresa Geraldine (Garruto) Ruddy of Lansdowne, VA passed away on October 1, 2016 after battling heart disease. She is survived by her husband of 65 years John J. “Bud” Ruddy, Jr. and children Kathleen Theresa Ruddy of Madison, NJ, Mary Ellen Ruddy of Edinburg, VA, Barbara Ann Ruddy of Charlottesville, VA, and Maureen Michelle Ruddy of Fairfax, VA. Theresa was pre-deceased by her son John J. Ruddy III, her brother Dominic Garruto, Jr., and her parents Antoinette and Dominic Garruto Sr.
Theresa also leaves to cherish her memory her aunt Florence Arkle of Natick, MA, her sister Rose Marie Archer and husband Ed of Eatontown, NJ, and her brother Anthony Garruto of NJ. Additional survivors include seven grandchildren--Renee Jansen, Charity Dodson, Colleen Cook, Jasmine Ruddy, John Paul Cook, Jade Ruddy, and Christine Cook—and four great-grandchildren: Michael Dodson, Natalie Jansen, Davis Jansen, and Gable Jansen. Theresa is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Born on July 25, 1930, Theresa grew up in Red Bank, NJ and spent most of her adult life in Virginia having lived in Sandston, Alexandria, and most recently Lansdowne. Theresa was steadfast in her faith and was very active in church having served as a lay minister and cantor and arranged altar flowers for many years at St. Louis Catholic Church. In the final decade of her life she was an active member of Galilee United Methodist Church-Leisure World Chapel where she participated in Bible studies and served on various parish councils. She was very active in her community, volunteering for several years with the American Cancer Association’s Reach To Recovery program, and served on the boards of the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging and Leisure World of Virginia She enjoyed reading, gardening, singing, crossword puzzles, needlework, flower arranging, card playing, traveling and cheering on her beloved Redskins.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Loudoun Funeral Chapel. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Matt Sergent will be held on Saturday, November 5 at 11:00am at The Chapel at Lansdowne Woods (“Leisure World”) at 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Lansdowne, VA 20176. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Chapel of Galilee United Methodist Church.
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