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
Norm,
This is tough news, so sorry to hear but so so glad and grateful I could spend an afternoon with you both recently.
Trudi was such a special person, a real light and among so many other treasured memories, I will never forget her kindness to me on my very first day of work at the Victoria Symphony.
Much love,
Christi
Norm,
Sorry for your loss does not cover it, so instead I will say “thanks.” Thanks for caring for Trudi through a long illness, thanks for sticking by her with complete devotion, and thanks for getting me in there to see her that Sunday. The connection we enjoyed on that visit exceeded my expectations and gave me the joy of seeing Trudi’s heart and soul.
She will be missed.
All the best in this difficult time,
Kay
Dear Norm
Heartfelt condolences winging their way to you.
Our dear Trudi…what a fight she put up and with your ongoing support how she clung to life giving it her all…as she clearly had done throughout her life.
Now at peace and we must try to focus on the good memories.
Much love,
God bless
Liz and Rob
Norman, we are so very sorry to hear this sad news. She fought valiantly for so long. I’ll always remember her warmth of spirit, her great sense of humour, her wonderful storytelling. We were all so thankful that you were there for her, in particular over the last few difficult years, but also for the many good years before that when you and Trudi took all of those amazing trips/adventures together.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
With much love,
Todd and Cathy
Dearest Norman,
Our hearts are very much with you as we share in the grief of losing someone as special and lovely as Trudi.
We are so glad to have been able to be recipients of Trudi’s love, and watch in awe as she shared her strength, joy, and smiles, amid more than difficult circumstances. We can all learn great lessons from Trudi, not just in the way she handled illnesses with dignity of course, but in how to live a life very well-lived, and how to love and be loved. What a joy she was—and such a great talent.
We shall keep her close in our hearts always.
Thank you for sending a lovely photo of a beautiful soul. And thank you so much for including us in her circle of visitors. We feel so honoured. We will miss her immensely.
Norman, we also want to recognize your tireless advocacy, endless love, and unending support of Trudi. The love you have for her is so beyond amazing. Having the role of caregiver is rewarding, but also very, very stressful, and we hope that you will find healing, strength, and peace in the days ahead.
Sending all our love and big, big hugs,
Nicole & Andy
Dear Norman,
We are so sorry to hear the news about Trudi and want you to know you are both in our thoughts and prayers.
She will be missed by us all and we feel blessed to have known her for so many years.
Please let us know if there is any way we can help.
Sending our love to you and Eddie and all the family.
Bill and Frances
Norman,
Our sincerest condolences from my family on the passing of Trudi…May her Memory be Forever Eternal!
With Love…Cousin Robert
Dear Norm.
We were prepared but we were not prepared to lose this wonderful person.
Even though we knew she was failing she had such a tenacious spirit it was incredible how long she survived her multiple illnesses.
For you it must bring great sadness but at the same time relief.
Relief from watching Trudi suffer, and relief from the unstinting, unwavering support that you gave her which was superhuman in its magnitude.
We are so lucky to have known Trudi, shared her music and her marvellous sense of fun and her love.
There is a great void in Victoria today and it will only be partly filled by Eddie.
Our very best to you Norm. After dealing with the details take a break from here with Eddie and have some rest yourself.
Our love to you.
Jan and Mike.
So sad to hear, Norm.
She was one of the best people I ever knew.
If you need anything at all, call me.
Fraser Campbell
Norman,
Thank you for letting us know of Trudi’s passing.
She was a lovely person. So talented, thoughtful and kind. We wish that we had known her better and for longer.
Your devotion and loving care was of great comfort, I am sure. She knew she was loved by many and, most especially, by you.
You are in our thoughts. Please let us know if you need any assistance at all; we’re here for you.
Kathie & Bob next door