Trudy Hakin

Trudy Hakin passed away peacefully at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon, NJ on September 26, 2025. She was 88.

Trudy was the loving wife of 59 years to Andy, who died in 2021. She was also a devoted mother and grandmother.

Trudy lived a remarkable life. Born in Neisse Germany, she, along with her parents and 7 siblings, migrated to northern West Germany during WWII, all surviving countless challenges.

She worked at a boutique hotel, Meinsbur and then in Lucerne, Switzerland where there was a view of the Alps right out the door. She then travelled to the US by ship arriving at Boston Harbor to be with one of her sisters who lived in Brooklyn, NY. It was there that she met her future husband, Andy. They started their lives together in NYC before moving to Queens and then New Jersey. After retiring they built their dream home on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia and lived there for 30 years. Her family and friends enjoyed the lake life that they shared.

Trudy's caring nature and vibrant, endless energy extended into the lake community. She was a member of the Newcomer's Club, Garden Club, Friends of the Park, and a German singing group that performed at local events and nursing homes. She was always quick to offer a helping hand or bring homemade chicken soup to a neighbor who was under the weather.

Trudy loved to entertain, and her delicious cooking and baking skills were enjoyed by everyone. Her biscotti were well-loved and there was always a special tin filled with the crispy cookies.

Trudy was an avid gardener, sharing her knowledge and love of plants and flowers with others. She even volunteered at her church garden club when she moved back to NJ, up until the age of 87 when she became ill. The ladies in the garden club say that she ran circles around them.

Trudy is survived by her children, Maria Koontz, husband Alan, her son Robert, wife Dayana, and her grandchildren, Alan Jr., wife Cristina, Ethan, and Bobby; Brisa and Oscar; her sister Gitte of England, husband Neil; sister Bäbel, husband Hans of Germany, and brother Dietmar, wife Ingrid; and nieces and nephews both here and in Germany.

A private memorial service for Trudy will be held at her beloved lake community in Virginia.

Online condolences are available through Morrison-Etheridge Funeral Home.

Donations in Trudy's honor may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ.

https://karenannquinlanhospice.org/elementor-17750/