Sr. Rudell was one of four children, one boy and three girls, of George and Florence (Breault) Rudell. She was born Dec. 17, 1926, and given the name Marie Therese. She attended several elementary schools and Girls’ Catholic Central and Immaculata High Schools in Detroit. She became a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe in 1944, and was given the religious name of Sr. Therese Mary.
Sr. Rudell earned a bachelor’s degree from Marygrove College and a master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. She taught in formal education for 60 years at St. Mary Academy, and Hall of the Divine Child, Monroe; SS Peter & Paul, Ionia; Christ the King, Detroit; St. John, Jackson; St. Gerard Majella, Kirkwood, Mo.; Santa Teresita Santurce and La Merced, Cayey, Puerto Rico; and Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills.
In 1970, Sr. Rudell was missioned to St. Philip Catholic Central High School in Battle Creek and ministered there for the next 36 years. She taught regular high school classes along with music, choral and instrumental. In 2007, she retired to the IHM Motherhouse and resided in the Health Care Center at the time of her death.
Sr. Rudell is survived by her sister, Frances Rudell Cooney, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles, and her sister, Florence Mary Zindler.
The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the Motherhouse on May 7, with Fr. Douglas Bignall and Fr. Richard Luberti, CSsR, as presiders. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery on the Motherhouse Campus. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
