Naugatuck Woman Honored For 'Making The World A Better Place'

NAUGATUCK, CT — Every community has its bright spots — the neighbors, businesses and local favorites that make it feel like home. As 2025 comes to a close, Patch and T-Mobile are recognizing the people, places and moments that made this year brighter in Naugatuck through our Best of 2025 series.

This story was submitted by Nancy Sawyer, who nominated Tammy Dudley. To share your own Best of 2025 nomination, click here to answer a few questions, and we’ll take it from there.

Who or what are you nominating for Best of 2025?

Tammy Dudley

How did this person, place or experience make a difference in your life or community this year?

Tammy is a humble caring and loving woman who makes the world a better place simply by being in it. She has touched so many lives in her kindness that it's impossible to mention it all. When anyone is sick or hurting she is there to care for them. If your pet is not well, she is there to care for them. She has helped a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer, held the hand of many as she stayed with them when they were taking their last breath. Her kindness knows no bounds. Simply the sheer number of people she has helped or touched is too many to count!

I have an illness, and she has always been there for me when it came to a ride to the doctor or anything at all. There are heroes who get paid for their work helping others. There are people who do things for others for notoriety, etc. Miss Dudley has quietly been there, in the background, not to be noticed or for accolades, but simply because she is just that kind of human. She does things to help so many just because she cares deeply for others.

Her years growing up were hell for her and rather than use that as an excuse for bad behavior she has used it for the love of others and the hope that they will never experience the hell that she has. She dedicated her adult life, from 18 years old working at Southbury Training School through to her retirement. People get noticed for this or that but I feel that Tammy deserves a bright white spotlight on her for once just for being the amazing caring woman that she is. She saved my life! She gave her life to giving and caring for others.

It's high time someone like Tammy be noticed and praised for her amazing heart and soul. Please, please consider her! The list of names of lives she has touched in a positive way is immense.

What would you like everyone in town to know about your nominee?

That she has a heart of gold and a soul full of love who never wants or asks anyone for anything. My grandchildren and children have me in their lives because of her! There is no price that can be put on how much she has silently touched so many in the community and beyond.

If you could tell them one thing, what would it be?

One can only dream of being half the person you are. You are one of God's angels here on earth. You've been so much for so many I feel that it's your turn to be appreciated in a public way because you are an amazing woman, Tammy!

What’s something you love most about your town or community?

The kindness of the community.

We want to hear from you, too! Is there a restaurant, a contractor, a business, a person — even a place — that’s your pick for Best of 2025? Click here to answer a few questions, and your story could be featured on Patch.

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