Trudy was born on June 10, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio to Casimira Marie (nee Lewandowski) and Leo Walter Knecht. She had an idyllic upbringing in Cleveland, growing up with two younger brothers, Leo and Allen Knecht. Early in her childhood, her father instilled in her a love of baseball and the Cleveland Indians that would remain as she moved to California and later became an avid Los Angeles Angels fan.
Trudy proudly attended St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana, earning a degree in education in 1957. Shortly after graduating, she met and married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Mazzarella in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1965, Dick and Trudy relocated to Orange, California with their 3 oldest sons.
After Dick’s untimely passing in 1975, Trudy started her career in education by teaching religion and marriage studies at the all-girls Catholic school, Marywood High School. After Marywood’s closure, Trudy joined Rosary High School (now Rosary Academy) as a religion teacher and later served in the various leadership roles of academic counselor, assistant principal, and principal. While teaching full time and raising her five sons, she graduated from the University of San Diego with a master’s degree in religious education in 1987.
Throughout her career as an educator, Trudy received several recognitions including the St. Mother Theodore Guerin Award from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College; the Gold Leaf Award from the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Alumnae Association; the Exemplar in Education Award from the University of Notre Dame; the California Administrator’s Award from the International Thespian Society; nominee for the Catholic Charities Woman of the Year; and Elizabeth Ann Seton Honoree.
In 2004, Trudy was named as the first President of Rosary High School and served in that role for eight years until she retired in 2011 after 31 years of service. The product of an all-female college education, Trudy fiercely championed all-girls schools and her charisma touched the lives of thousands of young women during her tenure.
Her legacy at Rosary is inextricably tied to Tri-School Theatre, currently known as Trinitas Arts Conservatory. As a patron, performer, and member of the Executive Board of Tri-School Theatre, she was instrumental in its growth and development. Trudy was a recipient of the Administrator’s Award by the Educational Theatre Association for her leadership as an arts advocate for the program.
In 2012, Trudy was invited to initiate the tour ministry program at Christ Cathedral where she served until October 2022. She also served on a variety of boards and committees for the Diocese of Orange including the Diocese of Orange Construction Advisory Committee and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Visitation Committee.
Trudy’s joie de vivre permeated any gathering and filled the room with warmth, light, and laughter. Her effervescent and hospitable nature made everyone feel welcomed and at home. She lived her life in fellowship with everyone she met and was committed to serving the Diocese of Orange in any way that she was called. Her total unwavering faith in God guided her throughout her life and was reflected in her favorite saying, “God is good all time, all the time God is good.”
Trudy is survived by her five beloved sons and their spouses, Richard (Kathy), Paul (Shohreh Abedi), Gregory (Peggy), John, and Peter; seven grandchildren Rachel Mazzarella, Kate Mazzarella (AJ Jose), Danielle Mazzarella, Jordan Mazzarella, Alexandra Budding, Amir Mazzarella, and Darius Mazzarella; and one great grandchild, Liliana Jose-Mazzarella.
A Catholic Mass celebrating Trudy’s life will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 10:30 am at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. A reception will follow in the Cultural Center located on the Christ Cathedral Campus. Trudy will be interred with her husband at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in a private family ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
● The Trudy Mazzarella Tuition Assistance Scholarship at Rosary Academy https://rosaryhs.thankyou4caring.org/donate
● The Colon Cancer Foundation https://coloncancerfoundation.org/?form=FUNBVKSVWNV
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