Gertrude “Trudy” Carlin Rutledge was born in Nutley, New Jersey, the eldest of five children, to Gertrude Johannesen and Edward Carlin. She grew up in nearby Caldwell, enjoying endless summers with her family—first on a cliff above the Kenebuck River in Marrtown, Maine, with Uncle Hans and Aunt Sylvia and later at the Jersey Shore in Mantoloking, where Grandfather Olaf entertained by performing front flips into the surf.
Trudy graduated from Mt. St. Dominic’s Academy prior to attending Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Notwithstanding her full load of extracurricular social activities (imprecisely monitored by the Sisters of St. Joseph), Trudy managed to win a bachelor’s degree in English from CHC in 1963. She began working as an elementary grade teacher in Boonton Twp., New Jersey.
In 1964 Trudy married Bill Rutledge of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, and moved to Dundalk, Maryland, where she continued teaching. Due to Bill’s inability to hold down a job, a lifelong journey took the family to Minster, Ohio; Glenview, Illinois; Palo Alto, California; and Pacific Palisades.
While living in Palo Alto, Trudy earned her master’s degree in speech pathology at San Jose State University. She also more than held her own in monthly sessions of serious poker.
At each community along the way, Trudy provided support to her children’s classrooms, while forging lasting friendships in the process. She was never afraid to voice her opinion and was always ready to champion needs of the under-served.
Trudy’s lifetime vocation was that of cheerleader for family and friends, to whom she extended her unconditional love and support. Every one she touched knew her spirited, vivacious persona—ready to take on life’s challenges and joys with cheerful verve. How many times have we all heard Trudy’s exhortation: “One step back and two steps forward?”
Trudy served on the boards of Chestnut Hill College Trustees, Santa Monica YWCA and the Irene Dunne Guild. She was an active member of the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation and a Girl Scout leader.
Trudy loved to travel with the family, and enjoyed many trips to Europe and across the United States. Her special favorite was the annual family stay at the A-A Ranch in Wyoming.
Trudy’s beloved sister Pamela Plant died in 1990. Her surviving siblings are: Jacqueline Carlin of Carmel Valley, California, Edward Carlin of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Charity Walton-Masters of Montecito, California. Trudy’s children and grandchildren are: Jacqueline Rutledge of Fort Worth, Texas, parent of Danny Henderson (21) and Ben Henderson (18); Bill Rutledge of Palo Alto, California; and Sarah Rutledge Crump of Pacific Palisades. Sarah and husband Will Crump are parents of Henry (8), Louisa (6) and Mary Grace (2).
Trudy passed away due to complications of Lewy body dementia at Serenity House Hospice in Santa Barbara. The family thanks Serenity House, Cottage Hospital, Home Care Assistance and, most of all, the staff of Casa Dorinda Medical Center for their loving care of Trudy.
In lieu of flowers, make a donation in Trudy’s honor to the Irene Dunne Guild at irenedunneguild.org.
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