on Monday, June 24th, 2024 while at home after a long and courageous illness. She
was 94. She was truly the heart of her home and our family. Trudie was strong-willed
but had a heart of gold. God got it right when he created Trudie.
She grew up in Wildwood, Florida, the fourth of six siblings, three boys and three
girls. Berley, Mildred, Mitchell, Trudie, Cecil, and Polly - such an exceptional group of
rare names. After graduating from Wildwood High School, Trudie got a job at Bellsouth
Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. It is during this time at Bellsouth that
she met, over the phone line, August Frederick Newbold. We were told stories that
August called the switchboard numerous times to talk to Trudie. Of course, they fell in
love and they were married in 1954 until August’s death in 1984. Together they raised
four children, Brenda Gail, Winn Frazier, Ann Marie, and Debra Jean. They were
brought up in a strict but loving home. If their mom said, “No,” they knew dad would
always encourage Trudie to let them go.
When the children were young, Trudie worked at the local laundry mat and she
could walk to work. There was a time when she was employed at a warehouse called
Arnold’s Cellophane making plastic bags of all sorts. Then came the long-term jobs with
Massey Ferguson and Ford Tractor until her retirement. She met and made many
friends during these years, including one very specific friend who she held very dear
and thought of as her daughter, Rose Montes. We all love Rose.
As Trudie’s children grew up and married, Brenda to Gerald Farr, Winn Frazier to
Barbara Dillard, and Ann to Giovanni Di Stefano, Trudie’s role would change to
grandma, or Nanny, as her grandkids would all call her. She was instrumental in raising
all of them during their early years, taking care of her grands when her daughters
worked or needed her. John DiStefano, Jerry Farr, Michael DiStefano, Kimberly Farr
and Michelle Farr were fortunate to have such an awesome Nanny devoted to them.
Then came the great-grands who she continued to care for and spoil as their parents
needed her, Kadin DiStefano, Hayley Gilley, Trace DiStefano, Gavin Greer, Cole Greer,
Ashley DiStefano, and Adalyn Parker. Their Nanny showered them all with
unconditional love. She was a positive influence and a mountain of emotional support
for all. She would say they each held a special place in her heart. Nanny was like that
ice cream sundae with sprinkles and a cherry on top, all sweetness and yummy. She
rarely told them no and would do anything in her power for them. Trudie was also a
favorite Nanny to many families in the Homestead area. Her care, along with much love
and kindness, was shared with these children as well - the Maas’s, Brian, Nick and
Krystine, the Losners, Alex, Max and Lizzie, Isabella Lorenzo, Grace Christensen, and
Chelsey and Bo Schwarm to name a few. She loved these families and their children
and enjoyed every minute with them. The Homestead community was blessed to have
Trudie and it gave her something to do most nights.
Trudie loved flowers and loved gardening. Her husband August was a
nurseryman in Kendall so it had to have come naturally to her. Trudie also loved to cook
and it was never a small meal. She always cooked for six or more people, even though
it was just her and Debra at home. She always hoped someone would come by and if
they didn’t, you would get a call to come and pick up the leftovers. She had numerous
cookbooks, loved cooking channels, and bought every new pot or gadget that came out.
Her Sunday mornings were spent watching the Jimmy Swaggart services on TV.
She would watch for hours.
Anyone who knew Trudie knew she had a grit about her. She was a character
that stood out and spoke whatever came to mind. There was a toughness yet
gentleness about her as well. She will be missed terribly by all who knew her, especially
her family. We all love her so much.
Let me end by saying our mom was one in a million. She always made you feel
like you were the most important person at the moment.
A visitation for Trudie will be held Sunday, June 30, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Caballero Rivero Palms Woodlawn, 27100 Old Dixie Hwy, Naranja, FL 33032.
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