Evelyn Luddy

Evelyn (Smith) Luddy, age 91, of Swansea, passed away peacefully Friday, January 10, 2014 at her daughter’s residence in Dighton surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late James F. Luddy Jr.

She is survived by five children; James F. Luddy III (wife Bella) of Swansea, Elizabeth H. Codega (husband George) of Berkley, Maureen Luddy Britland of Swansea, Kevin M. Luddy of Wellfleet, and Alison Makuch (husband Frederick) of Dighton, two sisters; Leah Kozloff of Saco, ME, Norita Schobel of Pascoag, RI, twelve grandchildren, six great grandchildren and was the aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Vernon, Earle, and Henry Smith, and Vera Shaw.

Born in Burrillville, Rhode Island, daughter of the late Roy E. and Maude (Law) Smith, she spent her youth in Burrillville and was a graduate of Burrillville High School, class of 1940. She then moved to Providence where she worked for Eastern Airlines and was their first female employee. She married James Luddy in 1949 and moved to Swansea. Being a homemaker and raising her children, she was the type of Mom whose home and yard attracted all the neighborhood children and that is where they played. That sense of family and love for children carried on through generations as Evelyn and her husband hosted a New Year’s Eve party/sleepover for all the grandchildren for many many years. Through the years you would often find Evelyn sewing, knitting, quilting, painting or gardening. Expressing that creativity she and her husband opened Evelyn’s Dolling Studio, where they primarily taught reproduction of antique porcelain dolls. Over the two decades it was in operation their students often became lifelong friends.

A passion for genealogy she shared with her husband, she spent countless hours researching her lineage. She was a member of the RI chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she held many positions, the Roger Williams Family Association and a direct descendant of the Mayflower; she was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

She was founder and charter member of both the Swansea Quilt and Doll Clubs, a member of the W.H.O. Club (We Help Others), she was a troop leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and most recently was a member of the knitting circle at the Swansea Library. Evelyn was a member of the Faith Fellowship Chapel.

Evelyn was a quiet woman with a pleasant way, always had an ear to listen and a heart to help. She will be missed greatly.

Her Funeral will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 10:00AM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at BIRCHCREST, 189 Gardner’s Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472. Burial in Vinnicum Woods Cemetery, Swansea.