Dorothea’s Obituary ITHACA — Dorothea K. Rudge, 101, of Ithaca, died peacefully January 23, 2019 at Bridges Cornell Heights. Youngest of the ten children of John and Suzanna Kubicek Kutka, she was born August 26, 1917 in Yonkers, NY. She was a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, class of 1939.
Before moving to Ithaca in 2001, she lived in Henrietta and Batavia. Her impeccable eye for design and respect for the written and spoken word led her to volunteer her services to publicize activities of the Rush-Henrietta PTA, the Henrietta Public Library, of which she was a founding board member, and later the Batavia Senior Center and the Batavia YWCA. She created countless eye-catching posters and displays and wrote reams of publicity releases for these organizations.
To commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the merging of the Rush and Henrietta school districts, in 1956 she, with close friends Dorothy Sebaste and Minerva Campell, wrote and produced “Chips from a Hickory Stick,” a full-length revue performed at the school by and for the towns’ residents and students. A tireless and talented seamstress when she wasn’t knitting or crocheting, for years she sewed many of her own clothes. Her homes in Henrietta and Batavia were graced by gardens and plantings that she designed and maintained according to organic principles.
After moving to Ithaca, she became involved in the Longview community, serving on the independent residents’ council and helping with the annual bazaar. Influenced by Ithaca College faculty member Dr. Katharyn Howd Machan, she developed a strong interest in modern poetry and was frequently called upon to give readings. Well into her nineties she was active in yoga, ceramic making and belly dancing, and wrote many amusing light-hearted verses to honor fellow Longview residents.
In 2015 she moved to Brookdale’s Ithaca Clare Bridge residence, and in 2018 she became a resident of Bridges Cornell Heights; the family is grateful to the staff and administrators at both establishments for the personalized care provided her. She was predeceased by two husbands, Bailey B. Burritt, Jr., in 1965, and Barnaby G. Rudge in 2001, by her son Bailey B. Burritt III in 2013, as well as by her parents and all five sisters and four brothers. Survivors include daughters Kristina Finley of Newfield and Antonia Weddle of Palatine, IL, daughter-in-law Carol Burritt of Rochester, step-daughter Beverly Griswold of Endwell, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In accordance with Mrs. Rudge’s wishes, there are no calling hours or services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850. For additional biographical information, see www.
bangsfuneralhome.com. Bangs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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