WOMAN BURNED IN RED BANK FIRE DIES
Phyllis Rudrow at the October, 2009 dedication of a bust of her cousin, Count Basie, flanked by benefactors Ray Brennan, left, and Dr. Gene Cheslock, right. Her home after the fire, below. (Click to enlarge)
A woman rescued from a fire at her Red Bank home on Sunday has died of her injuries, Mayor Pasquale Menna tells redbankgreen.
Phyllis Rudrow, 64, died Wednesday afternoon at the Burn Center at St. Barnabas in Livingston, he said.
Rudrow, a cousin of the late composer and bandleader William ‘Count’ Basie, pulled from a fire that tore through her home on Drs. James Parker Boulevard late Sunday afternoon.
Two men, Kris Parker and Robert Womble, were credited with saving her from the burning house before volunteer firefighters arrived.
Rudrow was first transported to the trauma center at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune before being taken that night to St. Barnabas.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office said the fire appears to have been cooking-related.
“Red Bank has lost a wonderful cheerleader and a great anchor in the community,” said Menna.
Details about survivors and services were not immediately available.
Sep 22, 2011 @ 06:52:16
Devastating news…my thoughts are with all her many
family members and friends. Today, Red Bank lost a pillar
of our town.
Sep 24, 2011 @ 11:38:19
I don’t know if Ms. Rudrow was aware of the heroism of Mr. Parker and Mr. Womble.
I hope she was and that it somehow made her ordeal a little easier to bear.
May she rest in peace.
Sep 24, 2011 @ 20:45:01
Got to meet her 20 year old son who frantically drove up
from Florida to be with her at the end.
Most impressive young man dealing so many things a 20
year shouldn’t have to.
Clearly he had a very special relationship with his Mom.
Trying to figure out her estate and finances so he can provide with a proper burial all while trying to deal with the
multitude of issues involved with a decimated home.