Trudy Hilmers Briscoe

March 20, 1935 - December 18, 2021

Trudy was born to Frantz and Inga Hilmers in Pasadena and passed away surrounded by her family. She lived in South Pasadena throughout her youth, attending Oneonta School, South Pasadena Junior High and South Pasadena-San Marino High, graduating in 1952. She and her husband, Jack Briscoe, moved to Pasadena for 10 years and then to Long Beach. They had three children, John (Debbie), Bill (Summer), and Cindy (Robert). During those years she served as a Cub Scout leader and a Campfire Girl leader.

An extremely intelligent woman, Trudy worked at a real estate office and quickly decided she could easily master the paperwork. She became a realtor and broker, eventually purchasing multiple properties along the way. She re-married Bill Ruzgis and they enjoyed life on Rivo Alto Canal on Naples Island for many years. Trudy particularly enjoyed serving as a docent at the Long Beach Aquarium. She was honored by the Long Beach Press Telegram with an 'Amazing Women Lifetime Achievement Award' and was named as the 'RE/MAX Realtor of the Year'.

Trudy was a hale and hearty woman who loved to travel. She covered 36 countries and all seven continents with Alaska and Africa being her favorite destinations. She loved the outdoors - hiking Mt Whitney, camping, and sailing her Catalina sailboat, 'The Salty Lady'. Gardening was something she treated herself to whenever possible. She owned a small farm in Valley Center, which she tended religiously and eventually enjoyed the Long Beach Community Garden. Trudy earned her pilot's license, bought her own plane, and flew regularly. She loved skiing and attended multiple Wanderlust Ski Club trips and events, a group which she served as a past president.

She was gifted with a natural kindness and an unsurpassed sense of loyalty to friends and those in need. Trudy will be genuinely missed by her dear friends, her husband, Bill and children, John, Cindy, and Bill; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Sigrid Hilmers Bausback '43, and one granddaughter.

Dianne Hart Thurman '52