Ruddock was born in
Hastings, England, on 2 April 1895, one of eight children born to the Reverend David and Anne (née Lush). and her father became Archdeacon of
Hawke's Bay in 1907. Ruddock lost both of her brothers in World War I: Edward died in 1915 and Walter in 1917. In 1921, Ruddock went to England to study music at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama. On her return to New Zealand, she advertised in the Auckland papers as a violin tutor. ==Career==