PORTLAND — Gertrude M. (Sullivan) Dudley, 87, of Portland, died on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at the Barron Center.

She was the wife of the late Mahlon Dudley Sr., who died in September, 1990.

Gertrude was born in Portland on Jan. 14, 1924, the daughter of the late Nathan and Myrtle (Sawyer) Sullivan and had been a Portland resident all of her life. She attended local area schools and graduated from Deering High School.

She had been employed at B&M Baked Beans for 25 years before retiring, and then went to work as a housekeeper for the Woodford’s Congregational Church in Portland.

Gertrude enjoyed shopping as well as doing crafts; crocheting was her favorite and was famous for her Irish knit sweaters. Her family also came first; she was completely devoted to them, and her animals came in a close second. She enjoyed the feeling she received by caring for others.

She is survived by her daughter, Marlene Hammond of Portland; her two sons, Mahlon Dudley Jr. of South Portland and Nathan Dudley of Sebago; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A private interment will be held at a later date at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 981 Forest Avenue, Portland. For further information and to sign Gertrude’s guest book, please visit www.advantageportland.com
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to: The Barron Center, 1145 Brighton Ave., Portland, ME 04102.