LOUISE M. TRUDEL, R.N.

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LOUISE M. TRUDEL, R.N. Louise passed away on March 23, 2006 at Toronto Grace Hospital after a two year struggle with cancer. Born in St. Boniface, MB on August 23, 1936, Louise was predeceased by her parents, Margherita (Rita) Chevrier Trudel and Dr. Jean-Joseph Trudel, her brothers, Dr. André Trudel (Anne) and Hubert Trudel (Annick), her nephew Scott Jamieson, and her niece Yvonne Prefontaine. She is survived by her brother Robert Trudel (Louise); sisters, Solange Hess, Valerie Jamieson and Rose-Marie Trudel; nieces and nephews, 19 great-nieces and nephews, and by many close friends, including her circle of O.R. nursing friends and her very close friend Lloyd Bodie. After graduating from St. Boniface School of Nursing in 1958, Louise worked at various hospitals in Manitoba and Ontario before pursuing Post-Graduate studies at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. She moved to Toronto in 1966, beginning a 30 year career at Toronto Western Hospital where she excelled as an Operating Room nurse and supervisor, also playing a significant mentoring role to many nurses who remained close to her throughout the years and who provided heartfelt support during her illness. Louise will be remembered for her beautiful smile, kindness, warm and friendly manner, sense of humour, and gift for friendship. Highly competent and keenly intelligent, Louise was also modest and low-key. She was a pillar of strength for all those in her life, and faced her own illness with her customary strength of character, spirit, and positive attitude. While the cancer overcame Louise's body, she was certainly not defeated by it rather she was victorious in handling it with courage, grace and style, and her last months and days were happy and peaceful ones. Louise continues to serve as an inspiration to her friends and family, and she played a special role in the lives of her nieces and grand-nieces as a model of independent living who was also feminine and caring - a career woman who went on exciting adventures around the world, yet never forgot her family and friends back home and took the time to correspond and keep in touch. Louise was a cultured person in the larger sense, firmly grounded by an understanding of the past and her French-Canadian roots, but open-minded and interested in new ideas and approaches as well. She was an avid and discriminating reader, as well as an independent thinker. She enjoyed music, literature, art and design. Louise had excellent taste and believed in quality, and was a connoisseur of fine crystal and china. Louise was a lover of nature and the great outdoors too, and believed in fitness of mind and body. As a young woman, Louise distinguished herself as a leading speedskater, winning many awards across Canada and the US. Night after night Louise would brave the cold Winnipeg winter weather, working that outdoor oval at the Norwood - St. Boniface Speedskating Club, pushing herself to be her best, becoming National Junior Speedskating Champion and also earning a place in Manitoba's Sports Hall of Fame. Speedskating gave way to downhill skiing, with Louise taking yearly trips to Vail and other top destinations, also going on many hiking and birding expeditions and remaining active throughout her retirement and illness. Family was all-important to Louise. She was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt, and was the Toronto anchor for the Chevrier-Trudel family, especially for the many nieces and nephews who lived and travelled there over the years, opening her home on countless occasions and hosting birthday celebrations marked by her love and individual flair. She had a gift for knowing how to make people feel special, not only acknowledging hallmark events in their lives but also in supporting their individual talents and endeavours and following their careers with interest. Her family history was a source of great pride to Louise - a rich and colourful history, so much a part of Canada's history replete with coureurs de bois, fur trade merchants, city fathers and MLA's and senators, with Suffragettes and community leaders, with clergy and teachers and public servants, with writers and artists and actors - all their contributions equally celebrated by Louise. This passion was nurtured by her mother, and shared with her brother Hubert. He was the historian and archivist, Louise the keeper of the stories and protector of family artifacts and heirlooms. Yet she also did her share of gathering pieces of the story, mostly in the form of (all those!) newspaper clippings. Part of Louise's legacy rests in the way she transmitted this rich heritage to the next generation. The family would like to thank everyone who provided caring support and expressions of love and kindness, with a special mention to Louise's wonderful team' of specialists at Princess Margaret Hospital and to her friends Lenore, Shirley, and Joan. Louise found immense solace in being at home in her final months, and greatly appreciated the devotion and care provided by her dear sister Val and her friend Lloyd who made that possible. In accordance with Louise's wishes, no formal service will be held. An interment will take place later this spring at St. Boniface Basilica Cemetery, where she will rest next to her parents. Condolences may be forwarded to Trull Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Toronto Grace Hospital, which provided exceptional care to Louise and family in her final hours. Thank you Louise, for all the interest, encouragement, and kindness you've shown us. We love you and cherish the love you've given. Watch over us. Et certes il existe, l'irréparable, mais il n'y a rien là qui soit triste ou gai, c'est l'essence même de ce qui fut . Traveller, there is no path. The path is made by walking .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 01, 2006