HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY
GERTRUDE THOMAS 

On April 24th, 2002 "Trudy" Thomas will celebrate her 100th Birthday.

Born in Erdington, on the outskirts of Birmingham, England in 1902, she is the eldest of six children. One brother still lives in England and her sister Mary lives at Inglewood Care Centre. Many changes have occurred in the world since Trudy was born:
Marconi sent the first telegraph message across the Atlantic, ushering in the age of radio. Street lights and homes were lit by gas; motor vehicles were just stating to replace the horse and cart; the Wright Brothers were still on the ground; two world wars were fought and won and man walked on the moon.

Trudy's ten years were mostly spent taking part in all church activities and lots of walking as cars were yet to come. At the age of 18 she became Secretary to the Works Manager of a large Engineering Company. In 1929 Trudy married Sydney Price and the couple went to live in Southampton. Their daughter Olwen was born in 1936 and in 1939 the little family moved to Bristol. The war years were tough — especially World War II. Bristol was heavily bombed during the Blitz and Sidney was away most of the time. Trudy became a member of the Women's Volunteer Service and helped in the Forces canteen at the railway station. After the war, life slowly returned to normal. Sadly, in 1956 Sydney died after a short illness. Trudy continued to live in Bristol and continued her volunteer work with the Hospital, Women's Volunteer Service, St. John's Ambulance and the Red Cross.

In 1968 her daughter, Olwen and her husband and their three small daughters emigrated to Canada. In 1969, Trudy sold her home in Bristol and joined the family in Virden, Manitoba. She arrived just in time for the birth of her forth granddaughter. She bought a small house and settled down to her new life in Canada.

In 1971 Trudy decided to make a trip back to England and sailed on the Empress of Canada. During the voyage, seated opposite her at the dining room table, was a widower from Vancouver, Ken Thomas. This relationship resulted in Trudy marrying Ken and settling in this lovely part of the world.

Ken and Trudy lived in an apartment opposite the lagoon in Stanley Park. They spent a lot of time in the park, walking the sea walls, lawn bowling and playing Pitch and Putt. They took wonderful trips by sea and car, including one memorable journey to Japan by freighter.

In 1984, independent living became more taxing and they made the move to Inglewood Care Centre. Here they enjoyed five more years together before Ken died in 1989.

Trudy continues to enjoy fairly good health, although she does admit to getting tired sometimes. She is an avid reader, particularly enjoying biographies and "This England" magazine. Trudy listens to classical music on CD's and radio and is also a selective TV watcher. She and Mary can often be heard discussing the latest happenings on "Coronation Street", which they have both followed since it's beginning 40 years ago.

Trudy enjoys outings, Ambleside and Horseshoe Bay are favourites — and visits to the homes of her friends. She is also a member of West Vancouver United Church. Always interested in the welfare of her fellow residents, Trudy remains the President of the Inglewood Resident's Council and is the Resident's Representative on the Family/Community Advisory Board.

To join in the celebration of Trudy's 100th Birthdays, her family, including six Great-Grand children, will travel from inland B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, the U.S.A., the U.K. and the Czechoslovakian Republic.

Click on pictures below to enlarge: