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
I am so sorry. I have wonderful memories of Trudi playing her violin while Drew juggled. She certainly was a shining light.
David and I were very sorry to receive your news of Trudi’s passing, although for Trudi, in some ways we suspect it was a release.
You found each other later in life, shared wonderful trips, experiences and laughter. May the memory of those give you some comfort at this time.
Margot and David
Dear Norman,
You have our deepest sympathy on the loss of your lovely, devoted and charming wife, Trudi. A true blue friend for many years will be sadly missed not only by me, but by the countless number of people whose lives she touched during her journey through life. Trudi was a very talented First Class violinist/performer as well as a superb teacher of the art. Trudi made the world a better place through her music, her generosity, her interests, her caring nature…and unfailing devotion to family and friends. Her legacy will live on in Victoria and across continents. I stand in awe having witnessed her courageous and stoic struggle through her devastating illness. An inspiration to us all… may she rest in well deserved peace knowing how loved and appreciated she was. And Norman…your deep and unconditional love for Trudi was obvious every step of the way during your time together and deserves a standing ovation!
With deep admiration…
The Dutch Calder Clan
Cher Norman,
C’est avec une grande tristesse que j’ai appris le décès de mon amie Trudi. C’est d’une grande douleur de perdre un amour, une amitié de si longue date…
Je me doutais que sa santé s’était détériorée depuis longtemps car elle ne me donnait plus de vos nouvelles…Voilà, elle est partie après des années de souffrance et de lutte pour garder la tête hors de l’eau, mais, hélas que faire contre ces maladies terribles…? Elle est allée au bout de ce qu’elle pouvait et J’admire complètement son courage et sa volonté d’avoir combattu cela.
Cher Norman, je vous souhaite tout le courage du monde pour surmonter votre douleur.
Pensez que peut-être là où est Trudi, elle a trouvé la paix et le bonheur d’être enfin délivrée de toutes ses douleurs……
Je vous présente mes très sincères condoléances.
Restons en contact .
Je vous embrasse et suis avec vous en pensées.
Joëlle
(Translation to English)
Dear Norman,
It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of my friend Trudi. It hurts to lose such a long-standing love and friendship. I suspected that her health had deteriorated because it had been a
while since she had given me your news…
She left after years of suffering and struggle to keep her head above water. But alas, what could be done against those terrible diseases..?
She went as far as she could, and I completely admire her courage and her will to have fought this.
Dear Norman, I wish you all the courage in the world to overcome your pain.
Perhaps where Trudi is, she has found peace and happiness in finally being delivered from her pain. I present to you my most sincere condolences.
Keep in touch.
Hugs to you, and I am with you in thought.
Joelle
Dear Norman,
I am so very sorry…
I will never forget Trudi’s kindness, her smile, her selfless nature, her violin playing…
She was my first friend and first colleague musician in Victoria who understood me perfectly.
Her departure is a big loss for me, and I can not even imagine what you are going though. Try to find peace in memories and in a simple fact that you made Trudi’s life so much richer.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Love
Anna
Sue, Sam & I were greatly saddened by Trudi’s passing this week.
We think back to our first meeting in December 2005 when we went for dinner with you and Trudi on your very first ‘date’. You were both so excited to meet each other; it was obvious that this was a match that was meant to be.
We had lots of laughs that evening. It was the first of many other wonderful meals together. Trudi entertained us with anecdotes about ‘life in the classical music business’; always great fun.
Since that first date, you were never far from each other’s side. True romance!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Norman.
We all miss this wonderful and talented lady.
Sue, Nigel & Sam
Norman,
I’m so sorry to hear the news over here in England. Trudi was such a treasure and her departure is a loss to all of us. I can see her so clearly, still, and her smile was a wonderful thing to behold.
We are all thinking of you and your beautiful Trudi.
Regards,
Dan Moses
Hello Norman,
We write to offer our heartfelt sympathy and condolences in the loss of your dearest Trudi. We were so saddened to learn of her death from Patricia yet equally relieved for her and you that her suffering is at an end.
You have shouldered an immense “love burden” caring and advocating for Trudi all these years, most notably after her hospitalization. Your labour of love no doubt contributed to Trudi having the best quality of life she could have under difficult circumstances.
As you move through your loss we hope and pray that memories of Trudi will in time, fill you with great comfort, peace and healing.
Cathy and Larry
Sincerest condolences, Norman
There simply are no words for times like this.
Trudi was so Blessed to have you and your devotion to her physical care and soul.
Rest Well, Trudi ❤️
With Love ❤️
Donna & Bob
Hope gentle healing and peace will find you.
So sorry you had to say good-by to Trudi.
With heart felt sympathy–
Stan and Pat