It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Rude, 55, wife of the Rev. David Rude and a member of Diocesan Council. Friends may pay their respects to the family from 7-9 PM on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of Newark, will celebrate and the Rev. Tim Carr, Rector of St. John's, Boonton will preach; a reception will follow. Private interment services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Elizabeth died on February 26, 2016 after being admitted to Newton Memorial Hospital the day before. Her husband David and her son were at her bedside.
Born on November 13, 1960 to Luther Crabb and Shirley Newlin in Albuquerque, NM, Elizabeth attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM. She was a well-known Gospel singer in the Southwest.
Elizabeth and David came to the Diocese of Newark in 2013 when David became Priest-in-Charge at Church at the Good Shepherd in Wantage. Elizabeth served at Good Shepherd as well, as one of two Pastoral Assistants, primarily responsible for Secret Sisters, Ladies Afternoon at the Movies, Healing Prayer Ministry and Ashes to Go.
Elizabeth not only assisted her husband in his ministry, but for several years was a commissioned minister of The Disciples of Christ Church in Rock Falls, IL. She was also an active participant in the Daughters of the King and the Cursillo Community in Los Angeles.
In 2014, Elizabeth joined Diocesan Council as a representative of District 2, and was a member of the Engaging the World Action Team.
Besides her husband, Elizabeth is survived by her three children, John Alan Swopes, Raymond Michael Ramos and Monica Rae Ramos; her four grandchildren, Baily Ramos, Noah Ramos, Aiden Allen and Jeannie Swopes; her seven step-children, Micah Michelle Ramos, Jeffrey David Rude, Tammy Ellen Heron, Robin Raye Cyr, Candace Lee Rude, Faith Amanda Andreason and Christy Ann Palmiri; her brothers, Robert Swopes, Pat Camp, David Camp and Richard Camp; her cousin, Marsha Knox; and many step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
At the request of the family, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd Food Pantry, 200 State Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461 or to the Alleluia Fund, c/o Diocese of Newark, 31 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
Condolences may be sent to the Rev. David Rude care of Church of the Good Shepherd, 200 Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461-3100.
God, our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for Elizabeth, the years we shared with her, the good we saw in her, the love we received from her. Now give us strength and courage, to leave her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
