Our beloved, beautiful Trudi slipped away from the bonds of infirmity on Thursday, July 7, 2022, reclaiming freedom and peace. Her departure ended a protracted and heroic struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. She was predeceased by her mother, Marie Conrad (née Thompson), her father, Edward Conrad and her brother, Ted Conrad.
Leaving to mourn her, are many. To begin, there is her family. She leaves her devoted, now deeply grieving husband Norman, his son, Dr. Christopher Prelypchan (Dr. Laura Zeznik), their sons, Max and Finn and Norman’s daughter, Erin Prelypchan (Kris Hooper). Theirs was the immense blessing, having Trudi as part of their lives, though for far too short a time. The more fortunate are those family members who had Trudi for most of their lives. Those to mourn are her sister, Patricia Murray (Dr. Alistair Murray), Patricia’s son, Drew Denny, Trudi’s brother, Duncan Conrad (Cherie) and their children Kelly and Scott Conrad (Ashley).
She leaves cousins, extended family and many closely held friends. There are also those who mourn having enjoyed Trudi’s friendship arising largely by association, through her life of music. Each now grieving, accepts that they were favored by Trudi’s love, expressed in her own special way, without judgment.
Trudi will be remembered as someone who lived her life with a sense of grace that easily touched others. She was recognized as an exceptional Violinist, as well as an inspiring Teacher. Tributes to her flow from her influence on the community of fellow performers, from her students and from the listening audiences before whom she once performed.
Trudi loved travel. She fondly reminisced about the encouragement she received from a teacher in her early years, urging her to play her violin as best she could and from that effort, perhaps enjoy the opportunity to see more of the world. See the world she did, during the time she was a student and later as a performer with many orchestras. After retirement was brought about because of her illnesses, she revisited that life of travel with Norman until her broken body could no longer endure the challenges. Still, her gracious spirit never yielded.
It will be a different world without her. A brilliant light that she was, has left us.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life for Trudi will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Avenue, Victoria, BC, on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 1:30 pm.
Condolences may be offered to family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
142 Responses
Trudi will be missed massively. I am so sorry Norman. We were so lucky to see her in 2019 at my dad’s memorial dinner. She was an incredibly special person. I am glad that you took such good care of her, all the way to the end.
Lots of love from us,
C,B,E&C
Dear Norman,
What a great loss this is – our dear, dear friend.
We both lit candles and continued to send love throughout the night and send that to you now. We take comfort knowing that she is now at peace. She is so loved and we continue to be blessed by her spirit. We hope it helps your grief a bit to know that there are so many others who share your sorrow at this time. Please do let us know if there is anything we can to to help you.
May you find comfort and peace.
Your friends,
Chris & Max
A beautiful picture of a beautiful soul.
The bonds of her infirmity were kept as loose as possible by you, Norm, her champion. You gave her reason to wake each morning and rejoice in the miracle of life. Your strength kept despair from her doorway.
Be kind to yourself in your grief.
You have nothing to be sorry for.
Don
Dear Norman and Eddie,
I was so sad to read your message this morning but at the same time, you know dearest Trudi is now free from pains and restrains. I am sure she has left you with a lifetime of smiles but doubtless the ache of loss will be huge for you.
I imagine her playing the violin and walking with Gus in the heavens above, whilst always looking down and over on you and Eddie.
We will be in touch about September when you are ready. For now, grieve and know I am sending a huge beam of energy your way.
Sincerely,
Susan
Norm. We are heartbroken. It is a relief that she is free of that terrible suffering, but now she is gone. Our deepest, deepest sympathy and boundless love for both of you. Trudi was a dear friend since we first met her in 1974, when we moved to Victoria. Getting to know you is one of our great pleasures. Yours was the greatest love story I have ever known. Thank you for keeping us in your loop. So glad we rendezvoused in Chicago awhile back and visited Victoria in Nov. 2019~
In tears, Patti
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of an amazing lady. We were so privileged to have known her even a little bit. She was so gracious, funny, effervescent and talented. Our thoughts and prayers are with all, especially you, Norm, as you grieve the loss of this shining light. Love Ed and Kandy Stephenson
Where does one begin to write to Norm , her beloved husband , on the influence this amazing woman had on our family .
Operative word here is FAMILY, and that is what Trudi was to all of the Morrison’s .
All 3 of our sons played in her orchestra at the Victoria conservatory of music , and they learned from her not just about music , but life skills .
As our conductor she taught us all how to handle disappointments, how to discipline oneself to practice , not to show off but rather to play and give our personal best !
Trudi would say that at the end of the day if we could say a BIG YES , I gave it my very best , then you truly we were successful and we all knew we would go far in life.
Trudi was also my violin teacher for 8 years ,and as an adult beginner student , at the beginning of each lesson ,she would wave her magic wand over me and my violin because she knew I was nervous and that I wanted to please her .
Her belief in people was beyond anything’ I could put into words , and guess what? …
I still have the pencils she gave me saying: “ Caught you doing good ! “
Every student was made to feel like they could play in Carnegie Hall , because she would always introduce me to her colleagues as THIS IS Christie , MY violin student . I felt so worthy , Trudi was musical therapy !
Trudi, you Will always be missed until one day we will say a FOREVER hello to you again on the other side of this veil .
Norm we love you and offer our deepest condolences to you now .
What a beautiful couple you two made from day one !
Peace be with you Norm as your grieve in the days, weeks , months and years ahead . May your beautiful trips and memories you two took together help to sustain you .
And so for now, your cherished Trudi rests , free from pain , until you meet again !
Tribute to my beautiful aunt (originally posted on my Facebook profile)
My aunt, Trudi, died this morning.
Her obituary will be published on the weekend and knowing my uncle it will be an amazing read. Trudi was a world class musician, studying and performing around Europe and she played violin with the Victoria Symphony among others.
You know those little prodigy violinists who play on the barge with the symphony every summer? She was one of their teachers. And she was warm and loving and fun and irreverent and someone you just felt good around. You could feel her heart ❤️.
My uncle was courting her when she received her diagnosis of MS and then Parkinson’s. They got married anyway, she retired from playing and teaching and enjoyed life while they could. They celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary last month and then she had one last birthday party.
She spent the last year at least confined to a hospital bed, my uncle advocating for her right to medical care and to life.
She wanted to live. She didn’t want the morphine path. She was as present as I think you could be until the very last few days. But she had an extra year of life because of my uncle’s ability to fight for her.
For her birthday a few days ago, he invited an old symphony colleague to play cello for her. The video he sent me was amazing. She was locked in her body, unable to move or speak or swallow and her arm is swaying trying to conduct while he’s playing Saint Saen’s Swan on his cello.
If Victoria didn’t have a strings program in the public schools, the world would never have had Trudi’s brilliance as a musician. She learned to play violin here in elementary school!
I loved her and I will miss her.
Thank you for letting us know of Trudi’s death and her “freedom from the bonds of infirmity” A beautiful fitting and poetic tribute. We know she was loved and cherished even as she took her last breath. I like to imagine the wonderful music and laughter where she is now. May she savour the peace and joy with the Creator who has always lovingly cradled each of us.
David and I offer prayers for both of you. Praying that you, her faithful and loving spouse will have space for rest, healing and remembering.
Hugs
Nancy and David
I am so sorry to hear of Trudi’s death. I send my condolences to her many friends and family. May her music live on in your memories.