Mary G. (Trudy) Strickland entered eternal life Nov. 9, 2025. She was born Nov. 28, 1942 to James Nicholas Mudd Sr. and Julia Beaven Mattingly Mudd in St. Mary, Kentucky.

A lifelong Catholic, Trudy came to Louisville, where she worked for the Louisville Free Public Library downtown. The first day on the job she met Charles Strickland, and in 1964 they shared wedding vows that will never end.

Trudy stayed home to nurture her family: Alan (Vickie), Monica (Darren), Mary Ann (Jeannie), and Allison (Shawn). She taught each to read at an early age, and guided each to become a truly good and accomplished person. She loved her nine grandchildren – Stephen, Alicia, Nicholas (Beth), Mariah, Natalie, Katrina, Gloria (Aaron), Melanie (Matt), and Rachel – finding joy in watching them grow into bright young people of endless possibility. Through Nicholas and Beth the story continues with three great-grandchildren: Penelope, Henry, and Finnegan.

Over the years Trudy sang in the old Holy Name Choral Club, worked in the St. Gabriel cafeteria, baked lots of cakes, and lived her faith every day. Her beautiful smile brightened any room she entered, and every day she filled her house with love.

Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road. Her funeral Mass will be at St. Gabriel Church, 5503 Bardstown Road at Hudson Lane, on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. No flowers, please; memorial gifts may be made to the WHAS Crusade for Children.