Trudy Kulick

GERTRUDE KULICK

May 23, 1933 – April 22, 2023

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mom, Gertrude (Trudy) Kulick, age 89 of Wayne, NJ. She passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 22^nd.

Trudy was born in Rotterdam, Holland, the oldest of 9 children. She demonstrated her characteristic strength and determination early on in her life when she left Holland at the age of 17, with nothing but her younger brother, Simon in tow. They arrived by boat in NYC and lived with an Aunt and Uncle in Prospect Park, NJ.  She learned to speak English while working as a housekeeper and nanny for a family in Wayne, and she dreamed of living in that town one day.  She spent every day working towards a better life, always keeping in touch with her big family back in Holland, and weekly sending money to her mom and dresses for her younger sisters. 

Within a few years in the country, Trudy proudly became an American citizen.  She worked hard, but also loved life and having fun. Her favorite flower was tulips, she was a great swimmer, she loved going to the beach with her girlfriends. And once, while on a girl’s trip to Las Vegas she and her friends (and 100 other fans) ate lunch with Elvis Presley.   

Every Friday night Trudy and her brother Simon would go to the local dance hall in Passaic NJ.  One night, she met a tall, dark haired college student named Ed. They hit it off and on November 7, 1959 they were married.   The two settled into a small fixer upper in Clifton, NJ, where she quickly made the house a home. There was nothing she was afraid to tackle, she was fearless and had a thirst for learning. She went to night school so she could land a job as a bookkeeper, a job she loved. Five years later she welcomed her first child, Jeff and 15 months after that, her daughter Kim was born. Soon after in 1967, Trudy, Ed and their 2 toddlers bought their brand-new house in Wayne, it was literally a dream come true for Trudy. She loved raising her family in that home and the door was always open to neighborhood kids and Jeff and Kim’s friends. She loved hosting Christmas eve dinners, Easter, backyard BBQ’s, birthday and graduation parties, any excuse for a full house.  She welcomed everyone in her home.

Trudy, a forever learner taught herself to do everything: cook, sew, bake… her homemade bread was legendary, and she loved sharing it with family and friends.  

Trudy worked as a cafeteria worker in the local high school for many years and she said the best part of that job was the kids… she loved the kids and they loved her.  But when her own kids were grown, she was ready to take on a new challenge. So, at age 50, she studied and proudly received her GED and later went to real estate school to get her license. She loved real estate and excelled at it. She was ambitious, hardworking and focused, yet she had a unique and sweet warmth to her, truly always wanting the best for her clients. She was honest and authentic, willing to sacrifice a sale if she didn’t think it was right for her client.

Trudy was kind, easy going, strong, smart and fiercely independent.  She was truly one of a kind. She never lost her Dutch accent, which only made her more endearing. She always believed she could achieve anything and taught her kids to aim high. Later in life, she loved traveling – Aruba was one of her favorite destinations.

For all of her achievements in life, her greatest pride was her family. She loved her family more than anything. She cherished her 2 grand daughters and lit up when she saw them.  She was predeceased by her loving husband Edward and dearest brothers Simon and Bastian.  She is survived by her son Jeffery, wife Kaori of Tokyo, Japan and daughter Kim of Wayne NJ and her two beloved granddaughters, Ellie and Charlotte as well as 5, sisters and 1 brother and lots of extended family in Rotterdam, Holland.

Trudy was well-loved by family, friends and colleagues and will be dearly missed. When you see the Spring tulips bloom… think of her.