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 Norman
At this painful time we send our love and condolences. Angels have accompanied her to her place of rest.
Barry & Marilyn
Dear Norman,
What a very, very sad day. Trudi was such a wonderful person who will always have a special place in the hearts of our family.
Our love and our thoughts are with you.
Jane and Peter
Dear Norman
I am very sad to hear of Trudi’s passing.
What a marvelous person she was and still is in my heart!
You have been a wonderful companion to her!
Thank you,
Kate Rhodes
We are so saddened to hear your news.
She touched so many lives through music and will be missed.
Trudi was so fortunate to have you as her husband and support through the difficult years and travels.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb and Dave
Norman,
Unable are the Loved to die
For Love is Immortality
Emily Dickinson
Trudi was SO brave and SO lucky to have you there for her. Please take comfort in the great comfort and joy that you gave to her. It enriched her life beyond all measure. She is at peace and her spirit will inspire us always.
With much love,
Margaret
Words cannot express how very sorry we are for your enormous loss. Trudi has been a truly special friend of ours for almost 50 years and when she hooked up with you we had another special friend. I’m so glad that the two of you were able to make the absolute most of the time you had together with the wonderful traveling you did and the sweet companionship you shared to her final day. She could not have dreamed of a better mate than you. Knowing how she has suffered, it is a relief to know that she is finally at peace but we are heartbroken to have lost a soul we all held so dear. Our wonderful memories of her and her beautiful spirit will live on. We’re so thankful that we were able to spend some quality time with both of you in the last few years. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Love, Dave
Trudi was one of the brightest lights in the family and for those of us that loved her, her light shines still.
I know we are all grateful to you Norman. Not only for the way you cared for Trudi and the extra years she lived because of you but for the fun and adventure she enjoyed as a result of your marriage.
We are here for you when you need.
Andy & Nicole
Trudi was a wonderful person and I will treasure our friendship forever. Thankfully she had you, Norman. You are the best.
My deepest condolences,
Debra
Trudi was such a wonderful person, loved for her spirit, openness and passion for life. She was our connection to everything classical music.
Such a loss, I’m so sorry.
Trudi will be at peace now.
Lisa
Stu and I were so sad to receive the news about Trudi. She was a wonderful, kind and gentle soul… she was also a very talented violinist. We enjoyed her in the Victoria symphony when she played with them. She was such a strong, brave woman and I admired her strength. I know you will miss her greatly. We would be honoured to join you in celebrating her life.
You are in our thoughts Norman.
With our deepest sympathies,
Stu and Dawn