With sadness we share the news of the death of Ruth Dredden, 93, on May 3, 2023 in Frederick, MD. She was the mother of the Rev. George E. Dredden III, Priest-in-Charge at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark.
In addition to George, his wife Marguerite Smith and daughters Alexis and Mikaela Dredden, Ruth is survived by her daughter Angela Dredden; her son Patrick Dredden and his wife Debra; her sister Betty Culbreath; her brothers John Collins and Col. (Ret.) Robert Collins, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, George E. Dredden Jr.
Deeply spiritual and devoted to her Catholic faith, Ruth was a tireless worker and lay minister at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, as well as a leader in her community. She received numerous awards and public recognitions for her service, including a Papal Recognition bestowed by Pope John Paul II, and the 2007 Wertheimer Fellow for Volunteerism Award, which came with a $10,000 endowment gift used to establish the George and Ruth Dredden Scholarship Fund to assist those students seeking to pursue post-secondary education. Read her full obituary here.
A visitation will be held 4-7 PM on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 PM on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick, MD. Interment will follow in the St. John’s Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the Rev. George Dredden care of Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, 2 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102.
Those wishing to honor Ruth’s spirit of service and community may do so by contributing to the George E. and Ruth C. Dredden Scholarship Fund or the St. John’s Cemetery Fund.
Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven. Lord, grant eternal rest, forever in the radiance of your light. Amen.
