Marjorie May Ludecke Born August 7, 1939 Died November 10, 2014
Born August 7, 1939 Died November 10, 2014
A resident of Monrovia California for more than 42 years, Marjorie Ludecke, known as Marge to her friends and family, originally hailed from Brockton, Massachusetts. Born on August 7, 1939 to Oscar Clinton and Marjorie May (Basset) Hammond, Marge was proud of her heritage, an American Indian of the Penobscot Indian Nation (Indian Island, Maine).
In 1957, Marge traveled to Pasadena, California with her Mom, and her two brothers, Paul and Bradley S. Hammond. She obtained her AA degree from Pasadena City College and started working at Hycon Mfg. Co. in nearby Monrovia. While punching missile guidance tapes and wiring electronic boards for the defense industry, she met her soon to be husband Michael W. Ludecke. Determined to live happily ever after, they married on July 31, 1965 and three years later celebrated the arrival of their daughter Wendy. In four and a half more years, they completed their family with their son Clint.
Marge learned the art of stained glass in the late 70s and became so good at her craft that she made many of the windows for their family home, which are still in existence today.
In 1982, Marge and Mike decided they wanted to try their hand at opening a business. In order to help support and provide benefits to her family while the business got off the ground, Marge decided to get a job at the local Post Office, and in fact became the first female Postal Carrier in Monrovia! Always a people person, she quickly knew her job so well that she could tell you exactly who lived where, anywhere in town. She was loved by many of her co-workers and became known for hosting the annual Postal parties. By 1983 their family business, Century 21 Ludecke Realty in Arcadia, was up and running. This same business is still in existence today, more than 30 years later.
If you ask people what they think about Marge, the consensus would be that she had a very giving and kind spirit. That she was always there to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Her generosity extended beyond those she met in ever day life, reaching as far as her favorite charity the Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia. Throughout the year, and especially at Christmas, you would find her donating all kinds of things to help those less fortunate.
As her family expanded, Marge became a grandmother to three grandchildren, with whom she enjoyed life to the fullest, attending baseball and soccer games, birthday parties and Christmas plays and concerts. She also enjoyed getting away for the weekend with Mike to spend time with a dear friend in Rancho Mirage. She was the type of person that built many special friendships, including with people in her neighborhood, the family next door and her adopted granddaughter Gracie. She kept those she loved dear and constantly in her thoughts
Marge fought metastatic breast cancer for four years. She finally lost her battle on November 10, 2014, at home surrounded by the love of her family. She will be greatly missed.
Marge is survived by her husband Michael Ludecke. She left behind her daughter Wendy Ludecke Selevitch, son in law Michael Selevitch and grandson Adam Bencosme; her son Clinton GM Ludecke, daughter in law Lisa Ludecke and grandchildren Kate and William Ludecke; and her two brothers, Bradley S. Hammond and Paul Hammond and their children.