Shirley Marie Ruddy, 95, of Lawrence Kansas, passed away on July 15, 2021. She was a longtime resident of Kansas City, Kansas and worked as a nurse – first in surgery at Providence Hospital and then at a private office in Kansas City for 20 years before retirement. She was a devout catholic and a member of St Patrick’s parish in Kansas City, Kansas, then Corpus Christi Catholic Church after she moved to Lawrence in 2006 to be near her grandchildren. She enjoyed all sports, being an avid athlete while growing up, and later enjoyed watching sports, especially KU basketball. One of her greatest joys in life was spending time with her two grandchildren and watching them perform in music and theatre.
Shirley was born on June 28, 1926, to Julia Marie (Riordan) Medill and George Tabor Medill, Sr. near Tonganoxie, Kansas. She attended Leavenworth area schools and graduated from St Mary’s Academy in Leavenworth before graduating with a nursing degree from St Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas. She married Thomas Richard (Dick) Ruddy on July 29, 1950. Shirley is survived by her son, Thomas Richard Ruddy II (Sharon Soule), grandchildren Julia Ruddy and Sean Ruddy, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Charlotte Powell, Monica Russell and Lorraine Medill and her brother George Tabor Medill Jr.
Visitation will be at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence on Saturday July 24th at 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon at the church after the visitation. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lansing, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
