|
Gertrude Lillian Goodale Bureau (Trudie) passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at the age of 97. She was born in Whitetail, Montana to Arthur Goodale and Christina Morvik on September 1, 1911. She was raised with her siblings on a cattle ranch near Whitetail and attended a one-room country school. She married Arthur Lyal Bureau, from her hometown, in 1935, and began her career as a Navy wife. Trudie dedicated her life to her family and community, wherever they were stationed. While living in Coronado, CA. she was active in her daughters' school activities and served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was also a volunteer for the annual Coronado Wildflower Show, often going into the San Diego mountains to pick wildflowers by special permit. During WWII, she was the head of the household while her husband served in the Pacific on various aircraft carriers. Trudie was also a USO volunteer during this time. While stationed in Albuquerque with NASWF during the 1 950s, Trudie was active in the Officers Wives Club at Sandia Base. She was a founder of the Base Thrift Shop, where she often volunteered. She and her husband, Jake, started an outreach program from the Navy at Sandia to the Navajos at Canoncito when they became interested in the Navajo culture. While stationed at Moffat Field in Sunnyvale, CA, she and her husband became active in Republican politics. When Trudie registered more voters than anyone else in the state, she was told by Republican Women's Club members that she was instrumental in getting Ronald Reagan elected Governor of CA. Her efforts gained her an appointment to the Santa Clara County Grand Jury, a duty she thoroughly enjoyed. During the Bureau's "Twilight Tour" in England, Trudie discovered her love of travel. It was there she became knowledgeable about antiques and collectibles. Some of her attributes were her creative talents including sewing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting and woodcarving. After the Bureaus retired to Albuquerque in 1969, Trudie became a volunteer at the All Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. She often entered her baked goods at the New Mexico State Fair and won many ribbons. For many summers, she drove to Whitetail to visit family and friends. Trudie gave support to that tiny community by donating small gifts for the Bingo games at the Community Center. Before dementia robbed her of her memory and skills, Trudie was an interesting and interested lady with a boundless curiosity about the world around her. She was widowed in 1976. Trudie was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, Armand Bureau (Timmy) and grandsons, John Bureau Keleher and Thomas Bureau McDonald; brothers, Wilbur and Arthur Lewis Goodale and sister, Clara Marriage. She is survived by her daughters, Eileen McDonald and husband Clyde of Albuquerque; Linda Keleher and husband John of Aspen, CO and Barbara Bureau of Albuquerque, who was her mother's wonderful and constant caregiver; sisters, Harriet Stockwell of El Cajon, CA; Gladys Fay Burwell (Dolly) and husband William of Montrose, CO and brother James Goodale of Great Falls, MT and loved nieces and nephews. Also surviving are grandsons, Clyde (Tuffy) McDonald, and wife Darcy of Fullerton, CA, Michael and James McDonald of Albuquerque, Christopher Keleher of Aspen, CO., Brian Keleher and wife Alicia of Carbondale, CO. Trudie is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Alexander, Grace and Claire McDonald of Fullerton CA and Patrick, Finn and Kate Anne Keleher of Carbondale, CO. Trudie will be missed for her gentleness, kindness and sense of humor. Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held for the family at a later date in Montana. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at The Woodmark, Odyssey Hospice and Rose Martin for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Muscular Dystrophy Association of America or your favorite charity. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St. NW. ABQ. 505-343-8008
|
