Obituary of Lucille D Mudrich

Name: Lucille D. Mudrich Date of Death: Thursday, January 15, 2009 Residence: Rome, NY Age: 90 Obituary:Lucille Mudrich, the first woman chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, passed away at Stonehedge Nursing Home in Rome, NY on January 15, 2009 at the age of 90. She is survived by two daughters: Carol Ann and husband Guido (Guy) Fanfarillo, Rome, and Elaine Mudrich and her feline family, also of Rome, and two sons: Phillip Mudrich and wife Laura, Stafford, VA and Robert Mudrich, Daleville, AL. She is also survived by three sisters and their husbands: Freda and John Conley, St. Petersburg FL; Ila Rose and Kenneth Walls, Mount Pleasant, SC; and Joan and Arthur Stillinger, Riva, MD. She has six grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Lucille was predeceased by her brother Carol Roy Dodge and three husbands, Harvey Sheets, Alfred Mudrich, and Leonard Mahavik. She was born on March 19, 1918 in Terra Alta, West Virginia and was the eldest daughter of Albert and Verna Dodge. A graduate of West Virginia University, she later acquired several Bachelors and Masters degrees in diverse fields at other institutions. She began her professional life as an English and music teacher. While raising four children, she had a home bakery and catering service. She returned to the teaching profession as an instructor of early childhood education, introductory psychology, and gourmet cooking, leading ultimately to her appointment at the Culinary Institute of America. A musician in her own right, Lucille was frequently a soprano soloist and sang with many choral groups. In addition to many concerts, she and her husband, Alfred Mudrich, formed a vocal ensemble called the Lyric Choraleers. She also played the cello in several symphony orchestras. Throughout the Hudson Valley she was known as "Lucy Bridge". The game of bridge was her passion. She reached the ACBL level of Regional Master and was frequently found playing, directing or teaching bridge to new enthusiasts. Somehow, in her "spare time", she learned and excelled in ballroom dancing, ultimately filling her shelves with trophies. Lucille enjoyed many things throughout her life. Among her favorites were playing bridge and going dancing, classical music, watching Seventh Heaven and Golden Girls on television, the color blue, going to McDonalds and ordering a "hamburger well-done with no onions", enjoying a walk with the man in her life, driving her Subaru, eating frozen Snicker bars, and sipping cups of tea. "I love life, and I want to live! To drink of life's fullness, take all it can give…every moment must count!" Services: Family and friends are invited and may call at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Sunday, January 18, 2009, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Contributions may be made in Lucille's memory to the Humane Society of Rome, PO Box 4572, Rome, NY 13442. You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com.