Trudy Van Buskirk

VAN BUSKIRK, Trudy…

Trudy Van Buskirk, in her 76th year, passed away peacefully with loving family nearby, at LHSC on February 26th, 2026, from complications of PNH, the blood disorder that afflicted her for many years.

Trudy was born in London, Ontario, June 14, 1950, to Floyd (d.1983) and Ann (d.2009) and grew up in a small bungalow in the east end of the city. The oldest of 4 children she was frequently enlisted as caregiver and babysitter to her 3 brothers Mark, Philip and John, when Mom and Dad were out. She attended Catholic elementary and high school and from there went to Western University where she graduated with a BA in French and a DipEd in French, Elementary.

She taught elementary school in St. Thomas, Ontario, before moving to Toronto where she completed her MEd while teaching ESL, French and special education for the Toronto Separate school board.

She left classroom teaching and became a consultant providing seminars and training on the “new” microcomputers becoming popular in education, in addition to writing books and content for TVO. With her longtime friend and partner Tom Wojdylo, she co-founded and co-owned SES (Computing) Inc., one of the first Apple-only dealerships in Toronto. In 1991 she wrote a chapter titled “Self Esteem” as co-author for the published book “Winning Women”

Trudy loved music, sailing, dancing, adventure and travel and was able to see the world starting with a trip to France and England after University and vacations and business related visits to islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii, numerous cities in the US, and a one-of-a-kind vacation to Australia and New Zealand with her close friend Brenda. In 1991 she returned to England travelling with her mother to sightsee and visit long lost relatives. Her dreams included living in San Francisco and owning a sailboat. Around 1994 she moved there, co-creating a business connecting users with sellers of handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs). She was truly an entrepreneur and proud of that. Oh, and she bought a sailboat!

Trudy moved back to Canada in 2000 and shortly thereafter had the first of 5 strokes, caused by the PNH she had been diagnosed with 30 years before. The first stroke rendered her unable to move her left side, but after 18 months in hospital and rehabilitation, she’d recovered 90% of her abilities including driving.

Unfortunately she suffered a heart attack and later another stroke and was not as successful with recovery as this second stroke left her with permanent disabilities to her movement and speech. She began receiving infusions of a drug that although wouldn’t cure her disease, could prevent the strokes and heart attacks. It was with this new medication, along with her positive “I can do this” attitude, she relearned to walk with a walker, moved into an apartment and resumed her career from home, consulting for small businesses. Unable to get around easily, she turned to the internet in order to support herself, writing blogs, interviewing women professionals and creating online consulting websites.

She joined writing groups, wrote countless blogs, articles and later stories about her life that she posted on Medium.com, a writing website.

A voracious reader, she devoured books on business, professional development, self esteem, and travel, but most of all she enjoyed murder mysteries. She also loved British TV series.

After living independently for 20 years after the debilitating stroke, in 2024, her health again took a turn and unable to walk once again, she moved back to London, after 50 years of living in Toronto.

Her new home at Waverly Retirement Residence provided the 24hr care she now required and with the help of dedicated staff, Trudy relearned to walk (4th time!) and continued her optimistic attitude by writing, engaging in activities like watercolour painting, and contributing by interviewing residents for the in-house newsletter. She even played the odd game of BINGO! Her positive outlook, always engaging and encouraging, a “one foot in front of the other” kind of attitude endeared her to her many friends, relations, business contacts, colleagues, and helpers. Her OT and PT team even called her their “rockstar” because of her desire to constantly improve her physical abilities.

Throughout her life, Trudy maintained a large circle of close friends who were always there to support and encourage her. She loved to celebrate life’s events and enjoyed being a part of others’ celebrations. She will be missed by all, but her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and enhanced with her teaching, coaching, wisdom, perseverance and attitude.

Trudy is survived by her brothers, Mark (Susan), Philip (Annette), and John (Deborah), and beloved niece and nephews, Josh, Christy, and Jake.

Cremation has taken place; Trudy’s wishes that her ashes be spread over Lake Ontario will occur later this summer.

Consider a donation to your local food bank in honour of Trudy.

Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com