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Meet Trudie

Who is Trudie Nelson? Organized, philanthropic, committed to making a difference in her community. Watch for this vibrant lady with the red-rimmed glasses in your daily travels around the village.

Wanting to escape the blast of another cold Toronto winter, Trudie arrived 12 years ago with husband, Stewart to visit a friend living on the Lakeside. They quickly fell in love with the area and made the decision to retire early and relocate to Ajijic.  Step inside for a few minutes and visit Trudie's home. You'll see why Trudie fell in love with this delightful home.

Trudie graduated in Interior Design from the prestigious design school, Ontario College of Art (OCA). After graduation she was fortunate to hold many key positions in design management. Her career started at Eaton's, formerly Canada's leading department store where she expanded her portfolio as a professional buyer - both in the purchase of home furnishings for the store, as well as in buying directly for individual clients.

Then, Trudie moved on to work for Chatelaine as decorating editor where she worked for 10 years. During that time Trudie traveled from coast to coast, developing and creating articles that set home fashion trends. Here is what Cobi Ladner, the Editor of "Canadian House and Homes" has to say about Trudie:

"I got my first apartment in the mid-'80s. I was the assistant/very junior decorating editor at Chatelaine magazine, and my boss, a wonderful woman who wore red glasses and red nail polish and carried a red bag every day, became a huge force in my life. I was so fortunate to have had a generous and talented mentor, especially one who wanted to use my apartment as a laboratory for makeover projects for the magazine." (Canadian House and Homes, Summer 2003)

An experienced business-woman and entrepreneur, Trudie has always found time to be involved in charitable and community works. While in Canada, she worked for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She continues to share her talents and energies here on the Lakeside. Trudie works tirelessly on charity events and a variety of community efforts. During her 3-year term as chairperson for the Black & White Ball, $100,000 pesos annually was raised for the School for the Deaf.

Over the last 5 years Trudie has worked as Chairperson for the Mexican Dinner for the for the annual Pasion del Cristo - the Easter Passion Play, one of the best in Mexico. The committee raised $25,000 pesos annually for costumes and stage designs.

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During her first term as President of the Lake Chapala Garden Club, Trudie spearheaded the renovation of the Ajijic Plaza Gardens, a project started by the Lake Chapala Garden Club back in 1996. With the full support of the Lake Chapala Garden Club each year, they raise funds to maintain the gardens. The project is co-brokered with local government who provide on-going labor. The Ajijic Plaza Project won Project of the Year award for the Municipality of Chapala in 1999. Now serving her second term as President, Trudie continues to be actively involved as Chairperson of the Ajijic Plaza Project.

Lakeside Garden Tour

One of the most unique experiences in living Lakeside is what you find behind the walls. We invite you to peek behind the walls and see some of the most amazing gardens you have ever seen.

While volunteering with the Lake Commission, Trudie learned about the problems plaguing Lake Chapala and decided to help with the solution. Working alongside Aurora Michel, a 20-year devotee to Lake Chapala, Trudie helped set up seminars and meetings with world-renowned environmentalists from Environment Canada, who shared their 20-year experience of cleaning up the Great Lakes; a professor from Florida who worked to promote the protection, enhancement, conservation and restoration of  Lake Okeechobee, one of Florida's endangered lakes.

Trudie Nelson, Member of the Lake Commission,  posing with Alberto Cardenas (past Governor of Jalisco) current Minister of the Environment for Mexico - at a fundraiser to raise awareness for the lake which now is in wonderful health.

Trudie was thrilled at how newcomers are welcomed Lakeside. She was delighted with the ease and ability to meet new friends. Always one to work in the community, she wanted to work at developing community relations with the local people. She quickly found that the Mexican people welcome our ideas of participation.

Let Trudie Help You Became a Part of your New Community

With 30 plus years of experience as a decorator, Trudie has an eye for what works. A sales agent with Eager and Associates, allow her experience in buying, selling, renovating, and decorating homes work for you.

There are currently over 600 listings on the Lakeside, but only about 50 of them meet Trudie's definition of a quality home.  Visit our Real Estate page for more information on Trudie's Picks.

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