Honoring the Legacy of Ben and Mary Jane Dudderar
2024 Philanthropists of the Year
Honoring The Past, Celebrating Impact, Investing in Our Future
Benjamin (Ben) Dudderar and Mary Jane Dudderar grew up in Frederick County, graduating from Frederick High School in 1951 and 1952, respectively. After high school, Ben honorably served in the Army from 1954 to 1957 and later worked for the Department of Defense at Fort Meade for 36 years. Mary Jane also dedicated her career to public service, working for the Department of the Army and then the Department of Defense for 38 years.
Ben and Mary Jane were married for 67 years and were the proud parents of a son and a step-grandson. They spent their married life in a house on Tabler Road and were actively involved in numerous community organizations. In retirement, Ben ran a small repair service and even came to the YMCA to assist with boiler maintenance alongside his friend.
Ben’s connection to the YMCA stemmed from a challenging period in his childhood. Raised by a single mother, Ben and his brother faced difficult circumstances when their mother could no longer support them. She turned to the Strawbridge Home for Boys, an orphanage in Carroll County, to care for them. Ben shared with the YMCA that life at the orphanage was tough, but the boys were taken to the YMCA on weekends, where they could enjoy its amenities, play, and experience moments of joy during those difficult times. He described these visits as bright spots in otherwise hard years.
When Ben and Mary Jane learned about the plans for the Natelli Family YMCA, they were among the first to contribute. Their generosity continued with two additional significant donations to help complete the construction. The Dudderars were deeply committed to ensuring the YMCA would be available to serve the children of Southern Frederick County.
Mary Jane passed away in 2022, and Ben in 2024. In their will, they left the YMCA of Frederick a bequest gift—the largest gift in the organization’s 164-year history. We are profoundly honored that Ben and Mary Jane entrusted the YMCA of Frederick with this incredible legacy. Their generosity will ensure that the YMCA continues to provide programs and services that offer hope and support to children in our community, just as it did for Ben so many years ago.We celebrate the Dudderars’ incredible legacy of kindness, resilience, and philanthropy, which will forever shape the future of our YMCA and community.
How will you pay it forward in your life?
Join us in honoring Ben and Mary Jane’s remarkable story by carrying their legacy forward. Together, we can continue to inspire hope, create opportunities, and invest in a brighter future for all.
