Obituary of Trudy Friesen

With her purpose here completed, Trudy Friesen, aged 76 years passed away November 22, 2019 with her family at her side. Though our hearts are heavy, we find joy in knowing she died peacefully and pain free in her home as she had wished. Trudy is survived by her son David and Paula Pimiskern whom she raised as her own, Paula’s children Willie, Charly, Alex and Katharina who were like her grandchildren, and sister Margaret Ellenberger. Trudy was predeceased by her husband John Friesen in 2019, daughters Sandra in 2018, and Suzanne in 2013, as well as parents Gustav and Katy Pimiskern, brother Willie Pimiskern, and sisters Mary Zuschlag, Katy Pichler, and Annie Jakob. She will be sorely missed by her many loving and devoted nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. Born in Yugoslavia, Trudy immigrated to Canada at 6 years of age with her parents and five siblings. She was raised and lived all her life in Leamington. After graduating from LDSS, she soon married John, her husband of 55 years. They had a busy life raising three young children. Some would say that hers was a difficult, if not tragic, life raising two girls with lifelong challenges and disabilities only to lose them to cancer in recent years followed by John’s death just months ago. Yet she was not one to ask why or complain … ever. Her purpose was “to put one foot in front of the other and everything will be ‘ok’ and “to be happy with as little as possible”. She accomplished this mission. But don’t think that Trudy wasn’t full of life and even enjoyed a little wicked fun. She had a great sense of humor, and a memorable hearty laugh, quite often laughing at herself “ call me crazy” she would say. She loved to socialize and travel with her multitude of friends. There were trips to Florida, Paris, and Quebec; there were Thursday dinners, monthly women’s meetings and luncheons, Sundays with her son, family events and the annual Elvis Convention in Collingwood that she would not miss. Trudy was known as a guru of health and wellness from way back when no one knew or cared. She was concerned for everyone who didn’t eat properly. “ Eat only organic and what grows in the ground or on trees”. If you didn’t have the best vitamins, probiotics, supplements or organic ecological cleaning products she would buy them for you. Yoga, walking, meditation and learning about spiritual healing were her lifelong passions. Except for her favourite turkey provolone sandwiches and caramel corn she kept her body and mind healthy. But her greatest joy was in the little things, such as being in her home with the beautiful view watching the squirrels and birds in her yard that she invited and kept well fed. She loved all of God’s creatures and the wonder of nature. If she wasn’t watching Dr Oz, Dateline or the Shopping Channel, her TV was on the Nature Channel. Whether you were a childhood friend, relative, acquaintance, just met her at the Superstore or visited her in the her final days, her positive attitude affected everyone. All her life and not always by choice, she had been a mentor, teacher, mother, friend, confidante and Ann Landers to someone. She herself was a lifelong learner and shared her wisdom with simple phrases such as “ get over it, let it go”, “there is always a lesson to be learned”, “put it out to the universe and God will decide” Trudy was extremely kind and generous, not just to the needy, but to whomever she connected with. If you admired something she had such as clothing, jewelery, paintings, books or even furniture she would give it to you, or buy it for you and deliver it in person. Trudy’s ‘things’ exist far and wide. She was beautiful inside and out, very proud and extremely private in her personal life. She endured her disease for 3 years in silence with amazing courage, dignity, spiritual faith and trust in her physicians, Dr. B. Walgama and Dr. M. Valero, to whom she was so grateful for their caring and compassionate treatment. They helped to keep her strong for as long as possible. In her final days many who came to wish her well thanked her for what she taught them, the gifts she shared: patience, compassion, humility, understanding, kindness, generosity and wisdom to name but a few. The family would like to thank all those who visited or called throughout this difficult time for their never ending support and love to Trudy and the family. Special heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated health care agencies and providers who cared for and comforted her with compassion and kindness above and beyond. Trudy’s spirit shone brightly all her life and it is no coincidence that she has chosen to provide her ashes and those of her family to help preserve the health of our oceans in the form of the Eternal Reef Memorial, a permanent environmental living legacy. The Silvertooth Reef is located off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. ( info@eternalwreath.com).The light of her soul will shine on. In lieu of a funeral, cremation arrangements have been entrusted to SIMPLE CHOICE CREMATION CENTRE (519-254-2585).. The family has chosen to honour Trudy’s life with a legacy gift that will enhance the lives of others. Donations can be made to the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, 40 Industrial Dr. Leamington N8H 4W4. (SWOgleaners.ca). Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at simplechoicecremation.ca