Tribute to Lin & Bert Ludy
In Thanksgiving for the Lives of Lin & Bert Ludy
Former Shalem Associate Staff & Board Members
The Rev. Lindsley Ludy, long-time Shalem associate staff member and former board member, died this April at her home in Cobb Island, MD. She was preceded in death last November by her husband, Albert, who was also a former Shalem board member and finance committee member.
Both were very involved in the early years of Shalem. Lin, a seasoned spiritual director and pastoral counselor, led beginning and continuing long-term groups for several years, and she and Bert also served as co-presidents of Shalem's board of directors. Both of them loved clowning and were members of the Clown, Mime, Puppetry and Dance Ministries, bringing laughter and hope to residents of hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages and schools. Together they also led marriage enrichment retreats and workshops.
In an interview for the Shalem newsletter, Lin said she found Shalem through an ad for a quiet day and was overjoyed to find a place paying attention to spiritual issues. She quickly became connected and eventually introduced Shalem to Bert. However, she first discovered the contemplative lifestyle in Singapore, one of the many places she and Bert lived as part of his work in the U.S. Foreign Service. After Bert's retirement, they settled into a big old-fashioned house on Capitol Hill. Lin earned a Masters of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity, was ordained in the United Church of Christ, and a new chapter of their life together began, much of it at Shalem.
Many of us still remember (and miss!) Lin's incredible hugs and the loving energy that these two amazing people brought to everything they did at Shalem. We give great thanks for the spiritual journey that led them here and feel deeply blessed for the gift of their time with us.