Friends and family of Lori Dudley gathered for an informal memorial service on Saturday afternoon at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg. Dudley was killed while riding her motorcycle last weekend. Many knew Dudley from her dog walking and pet sitting service, Lori Saves the Day. She also had many friends in the riding community as attested to by the number of people that gathered under the tent to share memories and support each other. Many had already attached a patch to their black vests which read: In memory of Lori Dudley, “Hot Nana” 12/6/61 – 8/20/16.
Dudley’s children, Matt and Liz Casey from Michigan and Terra Curtin from Virginia, stoically chatted with guests standing not far from a memorial table that had a collage of pictures, a Harley-Davidson guestbook for people to share memories and Dudley’s urn.
Also in attendance was Robin Dudley, Lori Dudley’s older brother.
“We were very close,” said Dudley.
Half-siblings, they shared a father. Dudley remembered as an eight-year-old child while living in California with his mother, he returned to Michigan to visit his Dad and met his baby sister. “We were very family oriented, getting together whenever we could,” said Dudley. “We always hugged when we arrived for a visit, but we have a tradition of giving really big hugs when we say good-bye. He also recalled that it was he and his sister caring for their Dad in his last few days.
“There was a real tight bond between my Dad, Lori and me,” he said.
Describing her as being in a funk after their Dad died, Dudley talked to her about starting to ride motorcycles again. She had done it earlier in life but not really since she got busy with her children.
“I told her the rides would help her enjoy the moment, help her enjoy life,” he said.
She purchased a Harley-Davidson about two years ago.
“After that I saw a real difference; she just opened up,” said Dudley.
Dudley, who lives in Michigan, looked out over the assembled crowd and said, “Friends are her family here. Lori loved Florida.”
A moment of silence and a prayer offered by minister Pilgrim Meyer were the only structured moments in this gathering of friends and family still trying to comprehend the recent tragedy.
The man who was at the wheel of a car that rear-ended Dudley’s motorcycle remains free on bond. You can read more about that HERE