Trudi E. Muller

Mom/Oma/Omama passed away in peace and comfort on May 30, 2016 at Riverside Retirement Residence in Guelph Ontario, in her 87th year. Mom was the beloved spouse of Paul for 63 years before his passing on February 13, 2016. They were blessed with seven children, 21 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

• Paul (Mary) of Burlington - John (Erin), Sarah (Emanuel Lepindea, Hannah 8, Lucas 6, Christian 4) Eric (Samantha Hicks, Ellie 3 months)

• Jim, deceased 1996 (Connie and Joe Kelly) of Calgary - Daniel

• Liz (John Kelly) of MacGregor, Manitoba - John, Diane, Lisa (Josh Golding), Mary, Joseph

• Rita (Jim Schneuker) of Milverton - Erin (Mark Crawford, Anika 1), Carla (to wed John Roth June 11), David

• Frank (Debbie) of Calgary - Lauren, Mark, Brittany, Jenna

• Dave (Gill) of Ottawa - Matthew, Brianna

• Don (Dea) of Orillia - Cam, Scott, Megan

Mom truly lived her Saviour’s teaching of demonstrating love by serving. Putting others before herself, and not wanting to be the centre of attention, she lovingly, faithfully and humbly served her:

• God - through her example and words, she passed on the Catholic faith that she inherited through her family. Mom always made sure we were scrubbed clean and nicely dressed for Sunday Mass. She sewed baptismal gowns and First Communion dresses. With Dad, she co-led evening family prayers as we all knelt before the crucifix. Each year, she costumed and staged us in a nativity scene that was featured on our Christmas card. For each grandchild’s First Holy Communion, she hand-crafted a custom-designed, stained glass hanging and baked a delicious cake, both featuring Eucharistic motifs. She and Dad were thrilled and honoured to celebrate their 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries at special anniversary Masses at St. Joseph Parish in Guelph and/or the Cathedral in Hamilton.

• Husband -- Mom was the exemplary help-and-soul-mate. She fully supported Dad’s career aspirations and worked alongside him in creating a warm, welcoming and faith-focused home. Mom paid all the bills and accounted for every last quarter. As a young woman, she studied gourmet cooking in France so she loved to make delicious feasts which Dad relished. During her golden years, she enjoyed Dad’s company and undivided attention while hiking and exploring in Hawaii, kayaking in Belize, trekking the canyons of the Southwest US, vacationing in Portugal and even making a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Together they regularly visited family and friends in Switzerland including a tour with Dan and Connie in Switzerland.

• Family - Mom was an exemplary homemaker who loved caring for her family and home. She applied all that she had learned as a baby nurse to tenderly nurture us. Mom loved our baby and toddler years. She prepared us to become independent by keeping us close enough to be protected, but not too close to hinder our development. Mom was firm but also gave us lots of support and encouragement. It pained her when we made poor decisions but she knew we had to learn from our mistakes. By sewing many of our clothes, including elaborate Halloween costumes, she taught us how to be frugal. She kept all of us busy and entertained by teaching us how to knit, crochet, cook, clean, build miniature models and master board games. On weekends she packed food and supplies for family camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, skating and skiing outings. During summers Mom and Dad built life-long memories and traditions by treating us to vacations at Red Pine Camp, Cape Hatteras, Florida, Lake Placid and Switzerland. She and Dad generously treated us to week-long, fun-filled family reunions at Villa Bellevue in Quebec, Blue Water Acres in Muskoka and Severn Lodge in Muskoka; and helped fund the higher education of each of her grandchildren. With English as her third language, Mom wrote beautiful letters and cards that have become treasured keepsakes. During her golden years, Mom helped each of us following the births of our children, often staying for a week or more.

• Friends and strangers - Through visits, letters, calls and Christmas cards, Mom kept in regular contact with several of her close primary school classmates from Switzerland and friends in various cities we had called home. When Canadian neighbors and friends were ill or in need, Mom would make and deliver delicious meals. Mom and Dad invited friends over to their home for the ultimate in hospitality which included a culinary feast. She was warm, welcoming and hospitable in hosting hundreds of memorable birthdays, Easter and Christmas celebrations for family and friends. For each of our seven moves, Mom wept the loss of friendships she had forged with neighbours and fellow parishioners. She found balance between putting others before herself while still caring for herself at the same time.

Mom truly served her God, husband, family, friends and strangers with love, faithfulness and humility. She was an exemplary role model for all of us to follow.

Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 409 Paisley Rd., Guelph, on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. Entombment of ashes at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery. Reception to follow back at the St. Joseph's Church Hall.