Gladys R. Rudolph

Gladys Rae (Barnett) Rudolph was born on February 2, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Albert C. and Fannie L. Barnett. Surrounded by her adoring husband of 62 years and her son, Paul, and daughter, Mary, she died on May 10, 2023 in Assisted Living at Otterbein Sunset House from complications due to the type 1 diabetes she had successfully managed for 61 years. From childhood she was interested in acting, playing the piano, and singing. She had a beautiful coloratura soprano voice and a natural talent for the piano. In the words of a friend, music was her “essence.” She was a remarkable collaborative musician, noted for her sightreading ability and her talent in following her soloist. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a devoted and thoughtful friend, and a lover of living things—whether cats (her pet of choice from childhood on) or elephants or young children or the suffering. Her bright, silvery laughter lit up the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Educated in Philadelphia Public Schools, majoring in music at Frankford High School, she went on to take a BS. Ed. in music at Temple University on a Board of Education scholarship, studying conducting under Elaine Brown and voice under Robert Page, and graduating in three and one-half years. During high school, she was a supernumerary in several operas at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, and from 6th through 12th grade was on a weekly educational television show produced by the Philadelphia Board of Education. During college years, she often soloed with the Temple University Concert Choir and was a frequent accompanist for the choir. While in her teens, she was a paid soloist in a church choir, appeared on a Paul Whiteman television show, and performed at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, N.J.

While at Temple, she met her husband of 62 years, Bob Rudolph, singing the chorale movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. After a two years courtship, the couple was married on August 6, 1960 and immediately moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Bob was studying for a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature. With two years of teaching junior high school music in the Philadelphia school system behind her, she continued as a music teacher for children from K-9 in the Madison schools, putting her husband through his studies. In 1965, Bob joined the English Department of The University of Toledo, and Gladys plunged into the Toledo classical musical and theater world. In fall 1965, she starred in the title role of The University of Toledo’s production of “Little Mary Sunshine.” Subsequent Theatre Department shows included an acting/singing role in “Oh, What a Lovely War,” and a stint as music director of two other UT plays.

Over the course of the years until she retired from active performing, Gladys was a busy musical performer: She was Music Director/Organist for First Unitarian Church for 38 years; Assistant in Music for Monroe Street Methodist Church for 15 years; accompanist for all University of Toledo choruses for 19 years; rehearsal pianist for the Toledo Opera Association for 35 years (beginning under Lester Freedman); accompanist for the opera association’s Opera in the Schools Program and substitute accompanist for the Toledo Symphony Chorale; vocal coach and accompanist for Dimitri Nabokov as well as area vocalists; recital accompanist for vocal and instrumental students in area schools and universities, including The University of Toledo, the University of Michigan, and Bowling Green State University.

Gladys also led a busy volunteer life. When she first arrived in Toledo, she volunteered in Toledo Hospital’s radioactive isotope lab. In the 1980s she arranged twice-weekly music programs for My Brother’s Place, a downtown ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church. For 25 years, she was a Special Music Docent at the Toledo Museum of Art, performing on the Skinner organ, Dutch Cabinet Organ, Pugin and Castle pianos. She recruited local organists to play recitals on the Dutch Cabinet Organ during TMA’s Winter Break program. She served as Dean and Assistant Dean of the American Guild of Organists—Toledo Chapter and was a member and officer of the Monday Musicale, Mu Phi Epsilon, and the Euterpean Club.

To all these activities, professional and volunteer, Gladys brought discipline, high performance standards, conscientious preparation, kindness, understanding, and joy.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; son Paul Rudolph (Aihua); daughter Mary Traudt (Joseph); grandchildren Ryan and James Wood; Jack, Katelyn, and Ryan Traudt; cousins Catherine Rossi and Colleen Snodgrass.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Ashanti Hospice, the Toledo Hospital Renaissance West 6th Floor nursing staff, and the many special nurses and aids that assisted Gladys in her times of need.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH. Visitation will continue Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, where a Funeral Service will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to First Unitarian Church, Toledo Humane Society, or Planned Pethood.