Trudy was born in Hollywood Florida in 1947, soon after the end of WWII to Donna Faye, a nurse, and William, an entrepreneur. Trudy's elder sister is Karen. The family moved to Canton, Ohio a few years later, where brothers Kurt and Philip were born.
Trudy attended Glenwood High School where she met her beloved David - her future husband. An accomplished seamstress at an early age, Trudy made her own dress that she wore to the prom with David.
After high school graduation, Trudy attended Bowling Green Univeristy and spent a semester in Madrid, Spain where she developed a life long love of foreign languages and culture. When she returned, she transferred to The Ohio State Univeristy to be closer to David.
In 1967, Trudy and David were married, and soon thereafter, had their first child, Melissa.
Trudy graduated Ohio State with a degree in Education, and fluency in both French and Spanish. She, David and Melissa moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1975. In 1978, their second child, Benjamin was born.
In Tucson, Trudy utilized her language skills by becoming a creative and motivating Spanish and French teacher. She touched many lives and inspired many people in her 38 year career, leading French and Spanish clubs and competitions, and trips to Europe for her students.
Upon her retirement from teaching, Trudy and David realized a decades long dream of moving to Southern France, where they lived for several years. David would do "bricolage", or handy work around the house, while Trudy experimented with French cuisine in the kitchen, and scoured local markets for her next projects.
A woman of boundless creativity, Trudy added beauty into every project she undertook. Her powerful intellect added insight to every conversation she entered. Her impressive culinary skills have inspired both her children and grandchildren in the kitchen. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, as well as an accomplished educator.
When diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disorder named PSP, or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in 2015, Trudy determined to battle the disease with dignity and grace. Her valiant battle ended on May 17, 2020, and we celebrate that she is now free of her earthly limitations.
Trudy is survived by her husband David, children Melissa and Benjamin, and grandchildren Catherine, Rebecca, Christian, Abigail and Cameron.
To celebrate her accomplished and well lived life, Trudy requested that donations be made to the organization searching for a cure for this disease in lieu of flowers.
FAMILY
David P. BopeSpouse
Benjamin BopeSon
Melissa MendivilDaughter
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