Mary Lou (Moye) Rutledge died peacefully at home in Orlando on November 16, 2008. She was born in Ridgeway, IL on February 08, 1926 to Ray and Anne Moye.
She graduated [in 1943] from Bosse High School in Evansville, IN and moved to Owensboro, KY after her marriage to John T. Rutledge. She became a resident of Orlando in 1958 when her former husband joined radio station WHOO and subsequently, WLOF/WLOQ. She worked for years at Park Lake Presbyterian Church until her retirement. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Orlando. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a former member of the Country Club of Orlando.
Mary Lou kept abreast of the latest trends. She taught herself how to use a computer and stayed in touch with her beloved grandchildren via email. She was also an avid bridge player. She played with her bridge club, weekly at the Orlando Bridge Center and online with a regular set of partners from around the country. She had a keen interest in all things nature. She loved her pet cats as well as wild birds. Somehow this seemed to work with no causalities sustained by the cats or the birds. Mary Lou enjoyed the beaches of Florida, particularly the Gulf Coast. She loved to vacation at Sanibel and Captiva but her favorite spot was Long Boat Key in Sarasota where she spent many summers at the Colony Beach Club. In recent years she would accompany her son, Thomas, to St. Pete Beach while he served on active duty at the US Central Command. During the last few years she relished watching a pair of Bald Eagles tend their nest just blocks from her home in downtown Orlando. They raised at least a pair of young eagles each year but lost their nest in a recent storm. Fortunately, they returned to rebuild. Mary Lou would have her sons drive her to the nest almost daily to watch the eagles. In fact, she was able to see one of them on the nest just a week before she died.
Mary Lou lived and raised four sons in her home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Orlando. When she moved into her home it was surrounded by citrus trees as the development was part of a prominent grove located just over a mile from the center of downtown. She was a pioneer resident of Bel Air and 2008 marked her 50th year there. She will be missed by her special friends on Pepperidge Drive, at the Orlando Bridge Center, at First Presbyterian Church as well as many Bel Air neighbors who were incredibly kind to her and her family during her illness.
Mary Lou was predeceased by her son, Jay Frederic Rutledge, her parents, brothers Herdis Moye and Robert Moye. She is survived by sons, Steven T. Rutledge (Lucie), grandsons John of Memphis, TN and Army Major Marc Blair (Captain Angela), great grandchildren Victoria, Ciaran, Aerial and Sienna of Ft. Stewart, GA; John J. Rutledge II (Julie), grandchildren Beth Anne and Thomas of Orlando; Thomas S. Rutledge (Ami), grandchildren Chris and Wendy of Green Turtle Cay, The Bahamas and Ponce Inlet, FL; nieces Barbra Fiedler and Paula McKinney of Newburgh, IN , Cele Blake of Albuquerque, NM, Eileen Garretson of El Paso, TX and nephews Scott Moye of Washington, IL and Bernard Moye of El Paso, TX.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 10AM in the Reformation Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801 with a gathering afterward at Mary Lou's home.
In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to donate generously to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.
Friday, November 21, 2008
I have been blessed to have this wonderful lady as an aunt. I looked up to her as a sophisticated, kind and intelligent woman. I miss her greatly. I am so glad we were able to have two visits in the past year, even though each one was a "last" time--for her to see Dad last fall and for us to see her this fall. I'm continuing to pray for all of you as you deal with this loss.
Love, Barb — Barb Fiedler, Newburgh, Indiana
Friday, November 21, 2008
Dear Rutledge Family, I was so sorry to hear of Mary Lou's death. She was a great neighbor and friend. She was generous with my children and went out of her way to do fun things for them. She will be truly missed. May your family know the peace that comes from the knowledge that Mary Lou is happy in heaven with Jesus.
Sincerely in Christ, Larry and Catherine Dusing
Mary Catherine, Sarah Brown, and Lara Dusing
— Catherine Dusing, Orlando, Florida
Friday, November 21, 2008
A truly fine lady will be sorely missed by many.
I've had the pleasure of knowing Mary Lou since 1959 (shortly after she moved to Orlando) while working for John T. Sr. at WHOO and then WLOF.
Sincere sympathy to a very fine family.
— Carole Smock, Orlando, Florida
