Gertrude “Trudy” Marie Pollard

Gertrude “Trudy” Marie Pollard passed away peacefully at her home at the Seaforth Manor, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. She was in her 87th year.

 

Born Gertrude Marie Glover to William and Sarah Glover in White Sands, Prince Edward Island in 1935, Trudy was the sixth of seven children raised on a 50-acre farm on the banks of the Northumberland Strait. Trudy taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in Little Sands before attending Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. Following in the footsteps of so many before, she was drawn to Ontario, where she settled in London, and shared an apartment with several girlfriends. She quickly secured a position at the London Life Insurance Company, working in the claims department under her principal, a man affectionately known as “Bing” (Bruce) Crosby.

 

Trudy was introduced to her future husband, John, by her sister and brother-in-law, Agnes and Harry Rhoads. They married and made their home in London for a couple of years before purchasing a farm and settling in Hullett Township.

 

Trudy was an incredibly loyal friend to many, a loving wife and a devoted mother. She forgave easily and always, and found joy and fulfillment in the simple pleasures in life. For many years, she farmed side by side with her husband, planted her gardens and preserved their bounty; cooked, baked and decorated their home; was very involved in their church and community; played cards and hosted dear friends at dinner parties; and always danced, sang, played music and wrote poetry.

 

Music and poetry were an integral part of Trudy’s life – from her early childhood spent on the shores of Prince Edward Island, to the last weeks of her life when her favourite music was played or sung, ever so softly, by family or caregivers. And she was so thankful for the music that soothed and calmed her after injections of pain medication, both day and night. She loved many musical genres, from bluegrass to the Three Tenors or Andrea Bocelli, from contemporary to traditional hymns, and much in between. Music enhanced every situation in Trudy’s opinion, and so it was incredibly fitting that Alison Krauss sang her away, while she held her daughter’s hand in the early morning hours of Remembrance Day.

 

Trudy was a loving mother of two sons, Ken (Peggy) and Tom, and beloved grandmother and great-grandmother of their children and grandchildren. She was also the adored mother, loyal best friend and faithful sidekick of her daughter, Sally. She was a dearly-loved sister of brother Vernon (Mellie) of Montague, Prince Edward Island, late sisters Agnes Rhoads and Mae Graham, and late brothers Windsor, Alder and Sy Glover.

 

And last, but definitely by no means least, Trudy leaves behind her Angel Caregivers who formed “Team Trudes”. These loving professionals played an integral role in her life for the last three and a half years, and particularly, in the final weeks of her journey. Some of these individuals have loved her since the spring of 2019, when they first made her feel welcomed, safe and loved in her new home. And some immediately loved and cared for her since they came on board in the interim. Their unequivocal acceptance of our needs and wishes for specific care protocols; utmost respect in honouring our privacy, which we hold dear; and most importantly, protecting Mom’s dignity to the very end, are priceless treasures that will be cherished forever. You will never know how much your love and care has meant.

 

Private arrangements with a celebration of Trudy’s life to be announced. Spring Interment will be at Blyth Union Cemetery. Memories of condolence are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com.

 

And in her memory, Trudy asked that you plant something – a flower, a tree or a kiss. Or do something kind for someone in need – a friend, or a stranger. Or forgive someone you should. Your forgiveness is not a gift you give away, it is a gift you give yourself. This is how you will best honour her memory.

 

Now she leaves you with this poem she wrote many decades ago while at her summer home with her husband. And even with her failed memory, she could still recite it word for word in the last days of her life.

 

Ode to My Island
“When I stand at High Bank on a clear July day,
and gaze at the splendor below,
Where jagged red rocks reach out to the sea,
and the waves come ashore row on row.
There is something awesome comes into my head,
about creation and eternity,
Like the old, old hymn, it is best described,
as ‘Nearer My God, To Thee.’
Man has the knowledge to travel through space,
and visit the man in the moon,
Transplant in our body the heart of another,
and somehow keep things all in tune.
But no man can change the force of the sea,
where many brave sailors have died,
And no man can change the course of a storm,
nor alter that incoming tide.
Dear Prince Edward Island, you surely have me,
locked safely within your strong arms,
I have loved you and left you, but I will return,
bewitched by your endearing charms.
Your people are made from the best of all worlds,
a good mixture of blood in their veins,
Stouthearted and true, they have surely made you,
a place where compassion still reigns.”
Trudy Pollard.