Carol A. (Bolger) Ruddy

Carol A. Ruddy (nee Bolger), of Stratford, formerly of Fairfield and the Bronx, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her bedside holding her hands at Connecticut Hospice on Monday, June 5, 2023, after a courageous battle with liver disease. She was the devoted wife to the late James J. Ruddy for 52 years.

Carol Ann Ruddy was born December 31, 1942, in the Bronx, NY to Irish immigrants Eugene and Winifred (nee Hopkins) Bolger. She grew up in the Highbridge section of the Bronx and it is where she met her future husband Jim at the age of 14. Carol spent her teen years caring for her younger sibling, “the twins”, while her parents worked, only occasionally leaving them at the park. She attended Walton High School and after graduation in 1961 she went to work in New York City.  On August 10, 1968, she married Jim at Sacred Heart Church and settled in the Bronx until 1977, when they moved to Fairfield.

Carol spent the next decade as a stay-at-home mom shuttling her three kids to their varied ­activities, baking cupcakes for bake sales and sewing outfits and costumes. She had a talent for drawing and created many covers for school newsletters and several murals for school plays.

She returned to the workforce in 1987 as a kindergarten aide with the Fairfield school system. She worked at a few other odd jobs before taking a position with the Fairfield Town Clerks office.

Being a first-generation Irish American, Carol was proud of her Irish heritage and was an active member of the Gaelic American Club for 40+ years. She and Jim showed off their dancing skills at many club functions and belonged to the Set Dancers group for many years. She was known for her delicious Irish soda bread which was in constant demand. She took extra pride in exposing her children to their Irish heritage.  She encouraged them to learn step dancing and to take Irish music lessons and beamed with pride when they would entertain at various events playing traditional Irish music. She was the keeper of the family history and loved to help her daughter research their family ancestry.

Carol hosted many holidays and celebrations at her home.  Whether a small dinner or large family celebration Carol loved to cook for her family. Her potato salad was a favorite among the grandchildren. It brought her joy to see her house overflowing with friends and relatives.

In 2014, Carol retired from the town clerk’s office and she and Jim sold the house in Fairfield and moved to Oronoque Village in Stratford.  They were very active in their new community.  Heading up the Fun Seekers group and spending many summer days at the pool with old and new friends.

She also loved going to the casino to play the slots and see the incredible shows. Often sharing with others that her favorite slot machine “Heidi” was always very good to her.

Carol is survived by her daughters Janice (Paul) Higgins of Plymouth, MA and Dana (Eric) Wagnblas of Ansonia, CT, and her daughter-in-law Stephanie Ruddy of Litchfield, CT. She also leaves her grandchildren, Brian, Dylan, Noah, Liam, and Jessa.  Her sister Teresa Piacente of Yonkers, NY and her sister-in-law Alice Bolger of Mamaroneck also survive her.

Her son James F. Ruddy passed away in 2014 as did her grandson Forest in 2017. Her brothers Eugene, Richard and Jerry, all preceded her in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 10, 2022 at 10:00  a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Fairfield.  Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Friends may greet the family Friday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Rd., Fairfield.

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