Edwina M. Ludden

Howland - “Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever, and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for you.” A more appropriate quote could not describe the love of this wife, mother, and grandmother. Edwina Mary Ludden, 83, wife of Dalton E. Ludden, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. How special that in her Catholic faith, October 7th is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Edwina’s faith (and her prayer beads) were ever-present - especially during the months of her illness.

She was born in Caribou on December 17, 1939, a daughter of Leo and Anna (Nadeau) Michaud. She attended schools in Limestone and Howland; picked a few potatoes in Aroostook County in her younger years; participated in softball and basketball at Howland High School; and was a proud member of the Class of 1958. She cherished her many memories with her classmates throughout the years.

Edwina married the love of her life Dalton E. Ludden on July 23, 1960, and they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past summer. Only two years of their marriage were spent away from their LaGrange Road residence, and that was while Dalton was enlisted in the US Army and stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. For over twenty years, Dalton and Edwina operated D.E. Ludden’s Trucking, which consisted of Ludden’s Garage, a wrecker service, and forestry business, as well. Edwina forged wonderful memories supporting the many clients they served, and she would proudly run additional errands for customers on her many trips to Lincoln and Bangor. Most cherished of those business days were times spent with niece Laurie Brawn and son Jeffrey Ludden.

Edwina was a loving wife and a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her husband, Dalton; daughter, Julie Ann Smyth and son-in-law Curtis Smyth of Biddeford; grandson, Matthew Ludden and wife Becca of Bangor; grandchildren, Drew and Anna Smyth of Biddeford; and great-grandchildren, William and Ruth Jeffrey Ludden of Bangor. She also leaves behind her sister and best friend, Cecile M. Shute. Cecile and Edwina were tied at the hip their entire lives, and it was rare to see one without the other. Such connections are beyond words.

Edwina also leaves behind a dear daughter-in-law, Stacie Ludden; loving sister-in-law, Ederle Cloukey Lemay, and many very special nieces and nephews, Lisa and Bob Bethune, Laurie and Glenn Brawn, Andy and Cindy Shute, Patty and Tim Cloukey, Jill and Eric Smith, Amy and Andrew Jipson, Michelle Wilcox, Derrick and Erika Brawn, Michael and Jenna Shute, Erica and Jim Spencer, and Kristen and Zach Lafreniere. And although Edwina did not see them as often, her family members from Presque Isle, Augusta, and Jacksonville, FL, were always close at heart. Furthermore, Edwina had many special friends and neighbors from her years on LaGrange Road - some who have passed; some who have moved away; but the memories were always strong. In most recent years, her neighbor Kristi Cassara was a godsend to both Dalton and Edwina. Kristi’s kindness and love will never be forgotten.

Edwina leaves a legacy of creative scrapbooks her family and friends will cherish forever, as well as recipes of delicious foods we will all try to emulate but probably never succeed in replicating. Sunday family dinners and holidays spent in the “garage”....playing cards with her siblings and grandkids….knitting “scrubbies” for her loved ones….enjoying a puzzle….in her younger years, traveling to Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Nashville, and Florida….overdoing gift-giving at Christmas….and occasionally spending time at either Hollywood Casino or Foxwoods. Edwina enjoyed everything she ever encountered and leaves beautiful memories for many. Above all, she will be remembered for her work ethic, her infectious smile, and absolute love of her family.

Edwina was predeceased by her parents, her son, Jeffrey; her in-laws, Lucy and Edmund Ludden, and five of her six siblings, Idella, Adeline, Theresa, Roger and Don. She has also lost very special brothers-in-law, Maynard Shute, Carl Cloukey, and Pete Lemay, as well as her niece Carlene Cloukey.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Howland, with Fr. Anthony Chinnaiyan presiding. Edwina was a lifelong member of St. Leo’s and cherished her visits from Fr. Tony. She is also a former Daughter of St. Anne. St. Leo’s is where she and Dalton were married almost 64 years ago. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon gathering in the church basement following mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Jeffrey Ludden Scholarship, an endeavor near and dear to a loving mother’s heart. Donations should be mailed directly to Treeline Making a Difference Fund (TMDF), PO Box 127, Lincoln, Maine, 04457. Checks should be made payable to Jeffrey Ludden Memorial Scholarship. To read more about the scholarship, visit https://treelineinc.biz/make-a-difference/.

Edwina’s family would like to thank the incredible staff of Community Health and Counseling Services - Home Health & Hospice, especially Alicia, Betty, Stacey, and Missy; the staff at Penobscot Valley Hospital; and the staff at Health Access Network, especially Kevin Olsen, PA-C and his care team.