Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Dudley
First Name	Ruth
Middle Name
Maiden Name	Towle
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Dexter, ME
Date of Birth
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	1998-10-26
Publication	The Eastern Gazette 11-2/11-8-1998, p.5
Obituary	Descendent of Dexter's first settler: Ruth Dudley dies at 102 DEXTER - Ruth Towle Dudley, 102, died October 26, 1998 at a Dexter nursing home. She was the daughter of Charles and Letetia (Abbott) Towle and widow of Walter L. Dudley. As the oldest resident of Dexter, she was holder of the Boston Post Gold Headed Cane. She was a direct descendent of Ebenezer Small, Dexter's first settler. She had lived with her son and his wife, Robert and Jeanne Dudley, in the home of her grandfather, Peter Amos Abbott, where six generations had lived. She was a graduate of Dexter High School in 1915 and Farmington Normal School in 1917. She taught in Dexter area schools for 31 years and substituted after her retirement in 1962. She was employed by the Bangor Daily News since the 1930's and the Eastern Gazette for many years. She was the oldest member of the First Universalist Church with over 80 years of membership. She was a member of the diaconate and of the publicity committee. She was superintendent of the Church School for many years. She also belonged to the Dexter Woman's Literary Club which she had served as secretary. She belonged to Martha Washington Rebekah Lodge, Dexter Public Health Association, Dexter Council of Church Women United, Dexter Historical Society, and the Dexter Fish and Game Association. She was also a member of the National Retired Teacher's Association, and was for many years a member of the Abbott Memorial Library Board of Trustees. She also belonged to the Dexter High School Alumni Association. She is survived by her son and wife Robert and Jeanne Dudley of Dexter; four grandchildren, Julia Keyte of Dexter, Carla Witham of Stetson, Nancy Covel of Dexter and Robert Carleton Dudley of Dexter; two great grandchildren, Caryl White of Harmony and Scott White of Sabattus; and a great-great granddaughter, Alexis White of Sabattus. Funeral services were October 30 at the Universalist Church, with Rev. Alec Craig officiating. Burial was in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to the charity of their choice. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, Dexter.