Ann Rudolph

Ann Hawley Thibodeau Rudolph, 84, died peacefully at The Pines Retirement Community in Davidson, NC on August 14, 2018.  Ann was born in Rumford, ME January 7, 1934 to Dr. Joseph Abel Thibodeau and Gertrude Hawley Thibodeau. Along with her parents, Ann is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years William David Rudolph of Bay Shore, Long Island, NY.  Ann will be deeply missed by her children Cynthia Ann Kelley (Timothy), Deborah Jane Keenan (James) and Christopher David Rudolph (Angela); her grandchildren Claire (Nathan Schneider), Michael, Ann (Collin McCabe), Benjamin, and Julia Kelley, Chloe and William Keenan, and David and Gabriela Rudolph; and her great grandchildren Oona McCabe and Daniel Schneider. 

Ann’s legacy to her family and friends was her abiding care and respect for all people, her pure delight in storytelling, her appreciation for the value of education and the arts, and her fun-loving and playful spirit.   

After the sudden death of her father when she was two years old, she and her mother moved to Glens Falls, NY near her loving Aunt Margie and Uncle Sonny Dwyer.  Ann attended Russell Sage College, Troy, NY and earned her RN from Ellis Hospital School of Nursing, Schenectady, NY. There she met the love of her life, William Rudolph, who attended nearby Union College.  Ann and Bill were married on September 18, 1955 and started their family while Bill was stationed at Johnson Air Base in Japan.  Upon their return to the States, Ann worked the night shift at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY while Bill attended Columbia Law School.  Ann also worked as a nurse at Millard Fillmore Hospital, Buffalo, NY; Winterhaven Hospital, FL; and Englewood Hospital, NJ.   Ann created a nurturing and joyful home life for her three children in each of the many cities the family lived over the years, including Rutherford, NJ, Mt. Lebanon, PA, Rockford, IL and Ridgewood, NJ. After Ann raised her children, she earned her BA in Psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey and her MSW at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.  Ann was Director of Social Services at West Hudson Hospital, Kearney, NJ and Director of both Social Services and Volunteers for Hospice at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ. 

Ann and Bill enjoyed their retirement in Amelia Island, FL and in Asheville, NC doing what together they loved most: welcoming family, making friends and enjoying the arts scene. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 18, 2018 at 2:00 at Saint Eugene Church, 72 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC.  Memorial donations may be made to The Pines Resident Support Fund (www.thepinesatdavidson.org/donate-online) or Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region (www.hpccr.org).