Mrs. Myrna Lee Hildebrandt Dudley Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Myrna Lee (Hildebrandt) Dudley went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Houston, TX after a brief hospital stay. She was 90 years old. Myrna lived a full and blessed life. She was born in her family home in Hammond, IN, on January 15, 1932, the youngest of four daughters of Edward and Isabel (Oltz) Hildebrandt. Myrna graduated from Hammond High School in 1948, where she was a drum majorette and involved with 4H. She played the cello in orchestra in school and would sometimes be persuaded to get it out to play for her children, nieces, and nephews. Myrna attended several colleges and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Governor’s State University, in 1993, at the age of 61, one of her proudest achievements. Myrna was working as a secretary at Amoco’s Whiting Refinery, when she met Richard Dudley, her best friend and loving husband of 47 years. She took a yearlong leave of absence to work in the new Lutheran diocesan program as their first member. Richard and Myrna were married in 1958. Richard’s career had them moving, more than a dozen times, around the globe and across the U.S. Myrna was a homemaker, raising their three children, Julia, Brian, and Jennifer. Whether in Paris France, Geneva, Switzerland, Taipei Taiwan, Cairo, Egypt, Chicago, New York, or Houston she made each house a welcoming and open home to family, business associates, and even students travelling abroad for sports and mission trips. Later in life, she put her degree to work giving lectures and sermons in conflict resolution and listening skills. Myrna was very active in the community and the church wherever she lived. She served on PTA and PTO boards at her children’s schools. She was a Blue Bird, Camp Fire and Girl Scout leader for her daughters and Den mother her son’s scouting. In Taiwan, she was an active member of the International Women’s Club including being Membership Chair. She also sang in the International Women’s Club Chorus in Taiwan. In Egypt, she was President of the Cairo American College PTO. She was active in the Maadi Women’s guild serving as secretary and later as president. In Houston, she was involved with Amoco Wives, serving as president and parliamentarian. Myrna was a lifelong learner and was eager to share her knowledge. She immersed herself in the food, culture, and language of her host countries. She also taught English at Taiwan Theological College. In 2005, she completed a three-year program at the Spiritual Direction Institute at the Cenacle and was a member of the Charis board. She was involved and often led book clubs and bible studies in her community. Myrna was no stranger to technology. In recent years, she had her iPad at the ready, playing games, reading books, watching YouTube, and even using Zoom and Facetime chats. Myrna never met a stranger. She was warm and friendly to everyone she met. She was interested in people and sought to help and make them feel included and welcome. She loved talking to her grandchildren and hearing about what they were learning and doing. She touched many people and engendered love and respect. Myrna is survived by her sister Carol Biesen of Highland, IN and brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and JoAnn Dudley of Celebration, FL; her children: Julia (Robert) Desmond of Highlands Ranch CO, Brian (Cathy) Dudley of Spring, TX and Jennifer (Charles) Pritchett of Kennesaw, GA, seven grandchildren: Connor Desmond, Cameron Desmond, Abrianna Desmond, Aaren Marchi, Rebecca Dudley, Andrew Goodman, and Stephen Goodman; numerous nieces and nephews and her dear friend and caregiver, Kyriaki “Kelly” Zoga. Myrna is preceded in death by her parents, Edward, and Isabel Hildebrandt; two older sisters Doris Mauer and Nola (Garlin) DeRolf , brother-in-law Charles Biesen, and her husband, Richard E. Dudley. Myrna donated her body for study and research to UTMB – Galveston. Her family will be holding a memorial service later in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Northwest Assistance Ministries https://www.namonline.org/donate or the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW .

Mrs. Myrna Lee Hildebrandt Dudley

January 15, 1932 - June 19, 2022

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