Obituary of Gertrude "Trudy" Hathaway

HATHAWAY: Gertrude (Trudy) Hathaway (née Weibel), of Brandon, passed away at the age of 93 years on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Fairview Nursing Home. Trudy was born on April 3, 1925 in Irma, Alberta, the oldest daughter of Emil and Marie Weibel who had emigrated from Switzerland in the previous year. Growing up in the Great Depression, Trudy had many younger siblings to care for on the family farm near Biggar, Saskatchewan. She was athletic and especially gifted at playing baseball. During World War II, she worked in her family's hotel in Qu'appelle, Saskatchewan. In 1946, Trudy married Charles (Chas) Hathaway of Dand, Manitoba who had recently returned from wartime service in Europe. They lived in Souris, Manitoba, where they raised their family, later relocating to Brandon, Manitoba. Trudy was a traditional housewife and mother for most of her life, with periodic jobs in the workforce as a waitress and housekeeper. She raised her children to be independent and self-sufficient, always stressing the importance of getting a good education. Trudy loved to play whist and other card games. She was also an excellent baker and cook. Trudy and Chas were good dancers and often enjoyed socializing with friends at the Legion. Trudy remained an avid sports fan, especially of CFL football and the Olympics. She took a keen interest in politics and the world around her. After Chas passed away in 2004, Trudy remained living independently until a series of falls caused her to enter Fairview Nursing Home in 2008. Her final decade brought a steady diminishment of her physical health and memory, but her feisty, indomitable spirit remained right until the end. Trudy is survived by daughters Beverley of Regina, Saskatchewan, Debra of Edmonton, Alberta, and son Mitchel of Red Deer, Alberta. She was predeceased by an infant son, Jamie. She is also survived by three of her nine siblings, two grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the medical and care home staff of Fairview Nursing Home for the excellent care they have provided over the past decade. A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in Brandon Cemetery. Trudy will be interred with her husband who is buried in the veterans' section. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, if desired, to the Fairview Foundation, 1351 - 13th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4S6.