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
Dear Mr. Prelypchan,
It was my pleasure to visit with you at the Oak Bay Hotel.
Your story and journey with Trudi was a great lesson for me in love and loyalty.
I wish you peace and comfort during these difficult days.
Best regards,
Eddie Roberts
Norman,
We were so fortunate to have known Trudi.
Sincerely,
Malcolm, Linda, Katelyn & Eric Clark
Norman,
They say time heals all wounds but they never say how long that will take. One day leads to another and then you find one day, that you will be okay, but we never forget.
Our dear Trudi will always be just a memory, thought or piece of music away!
Take care,
Vicky
Norman,
Nicky and I learned of Trudi’s passing a couple of days ago. We are very sorry for your loss and the loss of such a lovely, talented person.
As you know, Trudi had a great impact on our son Mark and is largely responsible for his continuing love of the violin. She was a wonderful teacher and wonderful person.
Please accept our condolences.
Brian and Nicky
Dear Norm,
We should have done this earlier, however we still want to tell you how how sorry we were to hear of Trudi’s passing. She was a very special person and will be missed by many, including friends, family, colleagues and students.
You wrote a beautiful obituary which described her perfectly. Trudi was always cheerful even through her illness. She was a lovely, talented person.
You were both very lucky to have the time that you did, to share your lives together. You will have many happy memories.
We are thinking of you.
With love,
Barbara & Dave
Dear Norman,
Hearing about Trudi’s passing really hit me.
Yes I think she wanted me to know.
She was always supportive and cheerful, especially at the end of a first rehearsal when clouds would come over my face as I thought we were getting nowhere. She would come up and always made me feel better and gave a feeling that it would be fine in the end.
Where ever she sat and or with whom, the other person always played better.
I did not know about any of her conditions till I made an insensitive comment about her wearing gloves on a particularly warm day. She told me a little and was very cheerful about it all.
Suddenly, many memories with the Symphony came back.
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you.
May she rest in peace.
With my kindest regards,
Kees
Dear Norman,
We were saddened to hear of Trudi’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences.
From Erin, we have learned how special Trudi was to her and especially how close you and Trudi were.
May you find solace in the memories you hold and strength in the love of those close to you.
Thinking of you,
Sue and Ron Hooper
In 2020, I had the honour of assisting Trudi in the process of donating her incredibly meaningful and beautiful gift of her French violin and bows to the University of Victoria’s School of Music. Her thoughtful and generous gift is now being played by students who would otherwise not have access to a fine violin during their degree. “Where words fail, music speaks” ~ Hans Christian Anderson.
My most sincere condolences to you Norman. Kristy Colpron, University of Victoria.
To the family
We were so sorry to hear of Trudy’s passing. 70 + years ago we all grew up on the same street in Esquimalt. Trudy and I we the youngest of the group and we became fast friends. All the birthday parties , with Aunties and so many children . We even have some of them on movies. And the highland dancing with Adelaide Duncan. As teens we had sleepovers once in a while. My brothers have fond memories of the Conrad family as well. Trudy was also instrumental in our youngest sister Helena’s musical career.
She was such a beautiful and amazing woman in so many ways and she will be dearly missed.
Please accept our condolences to you and yours.
Oh Norman. I am so sorry.
Trudi was such (and still is) a gentle, kind and beautiful soul. I am very grateful to have reconnected briefly with Trudi, despite the terrible circumstances. And you made her feel so loved and supported.
I will think of her often and will remember to try to be more like her.
My whole family sends their condolences.
Rebekah