Pansy "Pan" May Trudeau
July 26, 1924 - October 13, 2017
Obituary
Our beloved ‘Pan’ Pansy May Trudeau passed away peacefully on October 13, 2017 at the age of 93 with family at her side. Pan was born July 26, 1924 in Hodgson, Manitoba, Canada to Cyrus and May Howey. She was the third of four children: Reginald, Lance (Bud), Pan and Iris. She relocated to Florida with her parents and younger sister in 1943. There she met her husband-to-be, Donald (Don) Trudeau. She married her ‘Dearest Trudy’ November 2, 1946 in Florida. Don was in the Air Force and Pan and Don moved to England and several bases in the United States before he retired in 1961. They settled in Federal Way, Washington shortly after.
During their military years Pan became a naturalized citizen of the United States. She also honed her skills as a secretary and went to work at Boeing in 1961. Pan retired after 23 years at Boeing as an Executive Secretary, having worked with retired Vice-Presidents and active corporate executives including the CEO, chairman and president.
Pan and Don traveled extensively after retiring, seeing new places and keeping in touch with friends from childhood, the military and work.
Pan had many interests and talents over the years including ballroom dancing, square dancing, gardening, cooking, sewing, card playing, entertaining, reading and her pets. She was a compassionate woman who encouraged others and supported many causes to help veterans, protect animals and make the world a better place.
Pan had attended the Catholic church for many decades and officially converted to Catholicism in 2000. She devoted many hours to helping others through the church and this was a great source of joy to her.
Pan was a dear wife, a devoted daughter and sister, a treasured aunt and dear friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don (1999), brother Reginald and sister Iris (2016).
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa’s at 3939 SW 331st St., Federal Way, WA. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (paws) in Lynnwood, WA; St. Theresa’s or the charity of your choice.
Many wonderful times remembered with Pan and Don over the years. Bless them both!
Pan was a wonderful sister to Iris, our Mom (Debbie). We loved Pan and her uplifting smile and optimism. We fondly remember our time together with Pan and Don. She is gone too soon and will be greatly missed. We love you, Pan.
Jim & Debbie
My sister Pan was three years younger than me. We were the closest in a family of four children. We were born on an Indian reservation in the bush 100 miles north of Winnipeg.
We lived on a small farm that was largely bush in buildings that were quite primitive. The farm was a soldier’s settlement grant after the First World War.
She was 4 when our family moved to Winnipeg. Our first school was a four-room wooden schoolhouse. Most of the children were Metis with Scottish surnames. Pan was 10 when she realized that Macdougall was not an Indian surname!
She was very curious; she loved to read; yet she was serious in her schoolwork and was a good student.
When she was 19 and I was in the Canadian air force in England, she moved with our mother and our sister Iris to the Orlando area to live with our father.
She met Don Trudeau when he was training at a nearby airbase.
From 1943, when she moved to Florida, to 1979, when my wife and I moved to Victoria, Pan and I lived thousands of miles from each other. Even though we were many miles apart we were always close. We remained in contact by telephone calls, letters and visits.
She had a wonderful sense of humour, was outgoing, and was well liked by everyone.