Dudar, Margaret Kathleen Willis
LATHAM — After nearly a century, the angels returned a star to the morning sky. Margaret Kathleen Willis Dudar (known affectionately as Granny by those who loved her), passed away peacefully on Sunday morning January 14, 2024, exactly twenty-five years to the day after her beloved husband, Nicholas. Margaret was born in Moultrie, Georgia to William and Rosa-lee Powell Willis on July 2nd, 1927. She attended the Doren Community School, and spent most of her childhood helping pick cotton, tobacco, and produce on her family’s farm with her siblings Charles, Helen, Vivian, and Mary-lee.
Margaret was introduced to her future husband Nicholas Dudar during his basic training in Georgia. Nick served in the USAF during World War II, and returned after being honorably discharged in 1945. He proposed, and the two were wed, in 1946. Margaret and Nicholas relocated to Albany, N.Y., where their only son, Joseph Patrick Dudar. She went to work at Freihofer’s Baking Company where she was employed for 32 years, spending the majority of her tenure as the Head Cake-decorator for the company.
In her later years, Margaret spent her free time crocheting hats and donating them to cancer wards, churches, and senior living centers in the Albany area. It is estimated that she has completed over 1,000 hats in her service to God and her community. She is survived by her daughterin-law, Christie Dudar of Latham; her grandchildren, Joseph M. Dudar and his wife Elizabeth of Saint Johnsville, Peter Dudar and his wife Amy of Lisbon Falls, Maine, and William and his wife Amanda of Latham. She’s also survived by her great-grandchildren Jack, Jacob, James, Emily, Vivian, Liliana, and Samantha; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to invite everyone for a visitation at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd., Watervliet, N.Y., on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 4 - 6 p.m.; Friday, January 19, 2024, Mass at Our Lady of The Assumptions RCC, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, N.Y., at 10 a.m., immediately following a graveside at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Town of Colonie EMS, 312 Wolf Road, Latham N.Y. 12110.
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