Jeannette H. Trudell's Obituary
JEANNETTE HARLAN TRUDELL
February 13, 1936 – July 26, 2018
Jeannette H. Trudell, 82 a long time resident of Pinellas County area, died peacefully Thursday the 26th of July at Suncoast Hospice in Pinellas Park after a lengthy illness. Her loving husband, William Trudell and daughter, Maureen Olsen at her side.
Born in 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She and her younger sister, Carolyn enjoyed their childhood visiting museums, the famous Philadelphia Zoo, and spending summers along the Chesapeake Bay. She loved to go to parties, dances, singing and playing instruments like the piano, organ and accordion, and listening to music, especially American Bandstand, where she had the opportunity to meet Dick Clark.
Jeannette graduated from Dobbins Technical High School where she enjoyed learning about Art, History, Music, she acquired Business and Secretarial skills. She worked in various jobs at Strawbridge & Clothier, Coty Cosmetics, Philco and Standard Oil.
Jeannette married John Madden and had six children, Patricia, Kathleen, Maureen, Sheila, Neal and Kevin. She was a homemaker and loved to cook, sew and make clothes for the kids, and garden. She continued playing the accordion and singing while the children danced and jumped around. The family embarked on summer long camping trips across North America, visiting most National Parks and Historical Landmarks. She especially enjoyed being in nature, teaching her children about American History and wildlife, roasting marshmallows around the campfire, and sleeping under the stars.
After moving to Clearwater from St. Petersburg, she met William “Bill” Trudell and had an 8yr courtship enjoying dinners out, going to the movies and going to concerts, one of her favorite shows was seeing Elvis at his last Florida appearance. They married at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Happily married for 36 yrs, raising her children, traveling to visit family out of state, and working. She worked at Clearwater Community Hospital and later with the Pinellas County School Board, where she retired after 24yrs.
In retirement she loved reading, writing, and learning about her family history, and discovered she had a half brother, William “Bill” Evans she never knew and later met a couple of times. The study of Genealogy with Bill's wife Rose Ellen and niece Jo Miller brought her joy to know she was related to some important people in history. She enjoyed preparing large meals and sharing her family history and stories at family gatherings.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn Miller. She is survived by her husband William “Bill” Trudell, 4 daughters, Patricia “Patty” Madden(Sean Carroll), Kathleen Gallagher (Kevin), Maureen Olsen (John), Sheila Bishop (Bob), 2 sons, Neal Madden and Kevin Madden (Sheree May), her brother William “Bill” Evans (Rose Ellen) and 6 grandchildren, Robert, Michelle, Allison, Tricia, Julia and Johnny.
Jeannette was a kind and loving mother, devoted wife, grandmother and friend to many. She will be greatly missed and live forever in our hearts.
Memorial donations may be made to SPCA Tampa Bay and Suncoast Hospice.
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