Mary Catherine “Cac” Ludden, age 88, of 205 Hornell St., died unexpectedly Thursday evening (May 2, 2013) at her home.

Born in Hornell on July 2, 1924, she was the daughter of Harry & Kathryn (Grumley) McAndrew.

Mary Catherine grew up in Rexville, NY and was a member of the first graduating class of Greenwood Central School.  She attended Rochester Business Institute in Wellsville where she took secretarial & stenography classes. 

Residing in or around the Hornell area, Mary Catherine was employed for about three years as a clerk/stenographer for the former Erie Railroad and then spent several years devoted to raising her beloved family.  In the early 1970’s, Mary Catherine began working at the former Karl Medical Group in Hornell and later for Dr. McCormick and Dr. Harder as an insurance specialist in the billing department.  After more than 20 years, she began a well-deserved retirement enjoying her children and grandchildren. Her home was the center of many large family gatherings where she most enjoyed hosting everyone and doting on those she loved. 

Cac was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she was a member of Perpetual Adoration.  In addition to her faith filled life of prayer and devotion to her church and others, she also enjoyed reading but nothing more than spending time with her family.  She was one of God’s special creations to be sure and will be greatly missed by all.

Cac was married on October 26, 1946 to Eugene “Gene” Ludden who died July 30, 2004.  She was also preceded in death by her daughter & son-in-law, Maureen & Bob Parada, and her sister Teresa Decker.

Surviving are 3 sons, Bill (Theresa “Terry”) Ludden of Hornell, Chris (Sylvia) Ludden of Pittsford, John (Nancy) Ludden of Burlington, VT; 3 daughters, Anne (Bruce) Prashaw of Syracuse, Mary Kay (Jim) Rahmlow of Fairport and Peggy (Ken) Diehl of Pittsford; her brother-in-law, Harold Kittell of Hornell; 16 grandchildren, Michael (Debbie) Parada, Rob Parada, Peter (Sarah) Parada, Sabrina (Lee Dykeman) Ludden, Melissa (Jeff) Robertson, Todd Ludden, Katie Rahmlow, Christopher Rahmlow, Jessica (Ryan) O’Rourke, Michelle Diehl, Amy Diehl, Christopher (Marina) Ludden, Maxwell Ludden, Samantha Ludden, Rebecca Ludden & Matthew Ludden; 7 great- grandchildren, Chloe Dykeman, Kendyl Dykeman, Carter Dykeman, Landon Robertson, Chase Robertson, Tigris Parada & Saoirse Parada.  A special niece Sharon (Decker) Hill, nephews Richard (Cathy) Decker and Patrick (Linda) Decker, and several cousins also survive.

The family of Mary Catherine Ludden will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Mary Catherine’s family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Church, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.