Ruth Elizabeth Dudley

Ruth Elizabeth Dudley was born May 10, 1917 to Edward and Lillie Sic at her family’s farm home in Dodge County, Nebraska, as the fourth of seven children. She attended the local rural grade school followed by high school in the town of Fremont, and then took coursework at Midland College and at the University of Nebraska. During the Depression Ruth taught school in Emerson, Nebraska and in Omaha City Schools. With the onset of World War II she joined the design department of Martin Aircraft Company in Omaha where Ruth worked on B-26 bombers.

Arriving in Ventura during the War, she taught school at Camarillo State Hospital and then at Mesa Union and Pleasant Valley Schools in Camarillo.

Through friends Ruth met and married Leavitt Dudley, a native Venturan who was a commercial artist, writer and farmer. They settled into their ranch home in Saticoy, where she lived for the next half century, raising the kids and elegantly entertaining visitors from around the world.

Ruth was a leader in PTA, 4-H Club and other youth organizations, and later served on the Boards of the Town Hall lecture series, Ventura County Museum of History and Art, Forum of the Arts and the County Symphony. She was an active member of PEO, Saticoy Poinsettia Club, Friends of the Library, and was deeply involved in the Ventura County Assistance League for 62 years, volunteering at its Thrift Shop and Girls Club.

Throughout her life she derived pleasure in assembling attractive, ingenious and artistic decorations for those around her. Ruth particularly liked table settings, entering many clever arrangements at the Ventura County Fair where she subsequently served as the table setting judge. Her creative efforts and artistry helped to bolster the finances of many favorite organizations.

Ruth accompanied her husband Leavitt on architectural assignments in many parts of the world, often submitting colorful travelogues that were published in the Star-Free Press. One notable incident was being held in the Tehran airport for three days during the uprising against the Shah of Iran and return of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.

Leavitt passed away in 1987 followed by her youngest son Steve in 2002. She is survived by her children Michael Capesius of Santa Paula, Tom Dudley and his wife Carla D’Antonio and daughter Terra in Santa Barbara, Elizabeth Dudley of Princeton, New Jersey, and daughter-in-law Korey Dudley and her daughters Mikenna, Taryn and Rhiannon of Atascadero, California, as well as by her sister Edith Smith and nephew Dr. Douglas Smith of Santa Paula, and niece Pat Guilford in Houston. She also leaves many dearly cherished friends whom our family thanks for keeping her life enjoyable and interesting in these latter years.

Ruth died peacefully at home early Monday morning, October 22, 2012, following a stroke, with family in attendance.

In accordance with her wishes, funeral services will be private. Anyone wishing to memorialize her life is encouraged to do so in a manner fitting their personal beliefs. If you wish to make a donation, any of the organizations mentioned above would be appropriate.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura.