Katherine Ruddiman Sweeney

On Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022, Katherine Ruddiman Sweeney, age 79, passed away from natural causes in the hospital near her home in Ocean Springs, MS. 

Katherine was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan and spent her summers in Ocean Springs in her youth and winters after her retirement. She had an AA degree from Michigan State and began a career in advertising with AT&T Michigan Bell in the 1970’s where she met her beloved husband, Tim. As one family member said, “Kathi was a force of nature with a generous heart.” Katherine embraced life and enjoyed cooking, quilting, gardening, and traveling. While in Michigan, she volunteered for Hospice, the Humane Society, and various local animal foster organizations. Following their retirement, she and her husband moved to Oregon, where Kathi became a Master Gardener. When they weren’t traveling around the world she also volunteered as a Court Appointed Social Advocate (CASA) for children in Yamhill County. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Jane Chubbuck; her father, Edsel Ruddiman; and her husband, Timothy M. Sweeney.

Kathi is survived by her children, Garnet Palmer, Sue (Billy) DeBruhl, David Palmer, Kathy (Toby) Lasby, Melissa Palmer-Quinn, Dan (Patricia) Sweeney, and Brooke (Joel) Sweeney-Pouliot; and 9 grandchildren.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to any of the following organizations: 

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, 1945 NW Pettygrove Street,Portland, OR 97209; https://donate.dovelewis.org/ ESRA, 

English Springer Spaniel Association https://englishspringerrescueamerica3.wildapricot.org/widget/Donate; or

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 705 Rayburn Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; https://stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org/

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10 a.m. with reception to follow in the church parish hall at 11a.m. at St John’s Episcopal Church, 705 Rayburn Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564. 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Katherine Sweeney.