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With sadden hearts, Helen Aldis Ruby Rudd passed away quietly on March 21, the first day of spring, surrounded by her family. Aldis spent her last months with compassionate care at The Saybrook at Haddam. Aldis was born in Madisonville, Kentucky, and went on to live in Florida, Georgia, and Connecticut. Aldis is preceded in death by her parents John Edwin Ruby and Mary Eva Comer Ruby, a brother, Edwin Ruby, and a sister, Lucinda Reddlich.

Aldis had strong roots in the South. Her family name Ruby has historical relevance to her hometown Madisonville. Also, her family name Comer and Bragg has historical connections to Alabama’s governorship and University of Alabama landmarks. Aldis Browne, long-ago resident of Essex and artist of the infamous moving mural in the Griswold Inn, is her second cousin. Aldis loved her trips to New England to visit her relatives in the area, including Nantucket.

Aldis attended Madeira School in Virginia and The Wheeler School in Rhode Island. Aldis was always willing to help those in need and was an avid animal and nature lover. She was well conversed in history, literature, and the arts. Aldis painted her entire life. She was a creative lady with a lively spirit, enjoying new experiences and eclectic people. In the eighties, she opened a furniture store in Guilford, painting her inspirations on custom-designed furniture. She wanted the furniture to have an aura of happiness, not following any set pattern and painted as she felt at the spur of the moment.

Aldis leaves behind five children, Comer Rudd-Gates (Jeff) of Chester; Allyn Hendrikson (Henry) of Minnesota; Melissa Lombardi of Georgia; Laurel Cahill (Greg) of Madison; and Edwin Rudd (Sharlene) of Nantucket. Aldis also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Owen and Patrick Curtis, Aldis and Julia Berezowskyj, Claudia Gates, Anna Lombardi, and Ben Rudd; and three great-grandchildren, Eli, Kaden, and Peyton Curtis. Aldis was most proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s many accomplishments. All the love of her life.

There will be a graveside service in Madisonville, Kentucky, later this year.