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
Fond living memories of Trudi. One highlight is a memorable chamber music performance we shared of Brahms String Quintet op. 111 at Mont Orford QC – where we both played in Jeunesses Musicales 1970 World Orchestra under Leinsdorf. I ever remember her superb musicianship and sweet string tone. Let’s play it again Trudi when we meet again.
Affectionately, Norm Abbott
Dear Norm,
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Although I never knew Trudi, from what I have read in these condolences, she seems like she was delightful!
Sincerely,
Sandra Nadeau, Pension Benefits
Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada
605-200 Yorkland Boulevard
Toronto, ON M2J 5C1
Dear Norm,
We wanted to convey our deepest sympathy as you mourn the loss of your beloved Trudi. It was moving and inspiring to see you two together while she was well, and even more so when she became ill. We were lucky to know her and will never forget her. And we are lucky to know you—the model of a selfless, loving spouse. May God be with you during this difficult time.
Much love,
Harald and Sharon
“Love, great pal and colleague, Trudkin” was how she signed our Camosun yearbook in 1966. We were both in Division 2 at Vic High, having played and toured together in the orchestra and its various iterations since the fall of 1963. Trudi was an exceptional violinist, even then, who led us by breathing and bowing, marking and lifting and holding, delighting and dancing. Her humour was not the half of it, but it shone the way.
She was happy to tease and joke about anything, but never at the expense of the music. One year we were preparing Bizet’s L’Arlesienne No 2. It features a saxophone solo in the Intermezzo. Trudi noted aloud that we had no sax in our midst. Our conductor, Violet DeLong, pretended not to hear the joke, and took us into the work. At the moment the sax was to have entered with its gorgeous solo, Mrs DeLong began singing the part. We were shocked. None of us had a clue she could sing — and sound — like THAT. It was simply wonderful, and completely unexpected.
At the end of the movement, you already know who led us in most moving applause and respect. It was Trudi, of course, as she always did: finding the good, honouring the artist, elevating the occasion. I saw her rarely in the years that passed, but in 56 years since that day remember it, and her, with complete clarity. Trudi always left that sort of a mark. Always. We are so lucky to have had her in our lives.
Dear Norman:
I am deeply saddened to hear that Trudi has left us. She quite simply radiated love, kindness and caring.
Her commitment to music was infectious and she passed this on to both her students and colleagues. No one worked harder and with greater passion.
Trudi embraced her deteriorating health with grace and dignity and somehow managed to joyfully participate in life’s suffering which she certainly had more than her fair share of.
Norman, the VS family celebrated you and Trudi as a married couple and soulmates.
May she Rest In Peace.
Sincerely yours,
Annabelle Stanley
Words cannot express our sadness at Trudi’s passing. Nor can words convey the strength of our
condolences. But please know, Norman, that you are
are always in our thoughts, love and prayers. Angels have sped your beloved Trudy to her eternal rest. Your care for her is an inspiration for all humanity. Love to you always, Barry & Marilyn
So many wonderful comments and appreciations!
I think the two of you were the talk of the town for your marriage made in heaven. You have been an unmovable support, a pillar for her during her tough decline.
May you have many years of good memories, talks and communes of/with Trudi.
Bless you Norman!
Trudi’s life, career arc are truly an example of the value of learning music and the opportunities that were afforded students of Victoria from talented teachers and a supportive school system
Don
Philip A. Maxwell
Remembering Trudi’s life, her incandescent charm, her humility, we are stirred by a feeling of sad insufficiency. Words cannot come close to capturing Trudi’s ineffable glory as a human being nor what she meant to us.
Trudi was a musician of great sensitivity, superb taste, and aesthetic perfection. She studied with eminent teachers in North America and Europe. She often spoke with gratitude and affection of her four years of study with the renowned Sandor Vegh, first in the England, then in Salzburg. Other teachers included René Benedetti in Paris, Ivan Galamian (New York) and Oistrakh protégé, Isabella Petrosjan (Hamburg), among others. While eagerly taking in the culture and knowledge of these acclaimed pedagogues, Trudi earned her way by teaching.
The first experience which my wife and I had of Trudi’s playing was during an orchestral concert in which Trudi was the concertmaster. Although this concert provided our first contact with Trudi, my wife, a musician herself, drew my attention to Trudi. “The concertmaster is an excellent artist and a wonderful person. When she plays you feel a part of her spirit, her soul.”
After our friend Norman Prelypchan introduced us to Trudi, our respect and love for her deepened. We came to appreciate that Trudi was a different sort of musician. She seemed to be the very embodiment of music. She reached out to listeners with mellifluous generosity, warming their souls with what we perceived as an ethereal goodness. Her playing caressed us in a unique musical aura.
To memorialize Trudi in words is akin to holding onto her, trying not to let go.
Don’t go Trudi! Don’t leave us! A futile endeavour.
We have known for years that the coda would come.
How sad her years of suffering. How sad that she had to leave us.
And how grateful we are to have been a part of Trudi’s dulcet embrace.
Few people could have had the sort of complete joy in their lives which Trudi came to experience. Her great love, Norman Prelypchan became the basso ostinato of her life. We were often impressed by his discipline, his energy, his intellectual acuity, his warn-hearted nobility. All of these qualities bolstered and sustained Trudi through thick and thin.
We remember the beautiful wedding of Trudi and Norm in Christ Church Cathedral. It was the union of two great souls. These two people grew with each other — into an enchanted unity. Being with the Prelypchans was a sun-filled event. Norm’s dedication to Trudi was total. We were in awe at how he applied his genius for organization to Trudi’s life and needs. We observed that he knew from one minute to the next precisely what Trudi needed at each and every moment.
We came to view Trudi and Norm as a fully unified entity. These two souls were an uplifting inspiration for all who knew them. Deep down we sense that Trudi and Norm were, still are and always will comprise an undying unity.
We thank and bless the intense unison of Trudi and Norm for what they gave each other and us.
Dear Norman, I have wonderful memories of our symphony nights with you and Trudi, Christie and Brent..
they are such special memories that I will hold in my heart and as a fellow music teacher and VCM associate, I felt an instant comrade die with Trudi. May you be comforted by those around you who loved her and will always remember her.
Norm,
We really appreciated your call and our heartfelt and warmest thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Trudi and you were such a perfect blend of love and mutual support for each other and for Bill and Kathryn. You always took time and made their days more fulfilling. Details of your trips together, food you delivered, all made them look forward to your visits.
We will always hold Trudi’s warm smile and happy nature in our memories.
Please stay strong, keep in touch.
Until we meet again.
Our deepest sympathy,
Richard and Sharon Botting