Gertrude M. (Rydlewski) Callahan

Gertrude M. Callahan, 85, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016.

Trudy was born in the Browntown area of Wilmington, daughter of the late, Benjamin and Mary Rydlewski. She attended St. Elizabeth’s grade and high school and after graduation married Hugh Callahan and they started their family in the forty acres area.

Trudy went on to work as switchboard operator for Diamond State Telephone Company and eventually in the circulation department of the News Journal, retiring in 1995. She then worked part-time in the cafeteria at Highlands School, where she also helped tutor students.

Trudy was a devout parishioner of St. Ann’s parish and a leader in the “Right to Life” movement. She marched every year in Washington D.C. in support of this cause. She also helped raise funds for the “Our Lady of Peace” statue and was a member of the Sodality Blue Army Rosary Group.

Trudy loved to dance and roller skate and was an extremely vibrant and outgoing woman. She dedicated her life to her family and especially cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will also be remembered for her love of all children.

She is survived by her children, Ruthann Dressel (Rick) and Hugh Callahan, Jr. (Karen); her grandchildren, Stephanie Ripanti (Anthony), Richard Dressel III (Kathy), Bridget Callahan (Steve Ruppert) and Rachael Callahan; her great-grandchildren, Ava Grace, Grayden and Oliver; her sister, Catherine Zaczkowski (Stan); and many nieces, nephews and members of her extended family.

In addition to her parents, Trudy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hugh Callahan in 2000; her siblings, Mary Turulski, Dorothy Reen, Benjamin Rydlewski Jr, and Joseph Riddle.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 9:00 – 10:30am at the Doherty Funeral Home, 1900 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am at St. Ann’s Church, Gilpin Avenue and Union Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Trudy’s memory can be made to the Evergreen Alzheimer’s Day Center, 3000 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808.

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