Justine Gertrude Weitzmann
March 23, 1933 - March 21, 2021

Justine "Trudy" Weitzmann,
87, died Saturday, March 20, 2021, due to myeloma, in Clinton Township. She was born March 23, 1933, in Grosse Pointe, to Hal and Gertrude Kliemann.

Trudy was predeceased by her husband, James Weitzmann, 26 years ago. She is survived by her children, James Weitzmann (Lori) and Janice Weitzmann Lovchuk; grandchildren, James Justin Jr. a/k/a "Sparky," Kiley Weitzmann and Jackson and Justin Lovchuk; and brother, Richard Kliemann (Rayetta).

A graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School, she attended Olivet College.

She played violin and performed at Orchestra Hall, as did her mother; continuing the legacy, her daughter later performed there in an orchestral concert.

Trudy attended Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, where she was married and her children were baptized, and sang in the choir.

Trudy was devoted to her grandchildren. She placed a "valet" sign in her car window as she shuttled them to their activities and her youngest grandson's many therapy appointments. She always attended their many sporting events and programs. Her grandchildren said she made the best pancakes in the world. She made every holiday gathering fun with many unique toys and treats. Her grandchildren learned math at a young age because she assigned a nickel, dime or quarter to different color Easter eggs, which they added up to determine the amount they received from the Easter egg hunt.

Trudy met her husband, Jim, at Rustic Cabins in Grosse Pointe Park. They enjoyed simple pleasures such as Lafayette Coney Island, gathering with friends and traveling Up North to ski and enjoy the beauty of northern Michigan. Trudy hosted many weekends Up North for neighborhood friends, families and relatives. She enjoyed gatherings at Bayview Yacht Club, where she and Jim were members.

When Trudy and her family stayed at Lost Lake Woods in summer, she washed laundry by hand and used Mother Nature as a dryer. A wonderful aunt and second mom to many, she enjoyed taking her children, nieces, nephews and friends on "deer rides" through the woods and over dirt roads to search for deer at dusk and to see the beautiful lakes and woods. She also spent time on the north branch of the AuSable River in Lovells, where the Weitzmann and Pochelon families gathered.

An accomplished and gifted artist, Trudy hand-painted hundreds of items including purses, flowerpots, the outdoor gas tank at the family cabin, Christmas ornaments, old skis and furniture. Jim told her she could paint anything she wanted, just not the kids.

She was a member of the Grosse Pointe Artists Association, where she displayed her artwork. She attended many art classes at the Birmingham/Bloomfield Art Association, in Traverse City and throughout Michigan. Trudy donated her artwork to raise funds for the Mercy Education program begun by the Sisters of Mercy of Detroit to educate underprivileged women and girls. Her artwork also raised funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Woman of the Year campaign. She also knitted, collected dolls and made many beautiful quilts and decoupage purses.

Trudy was a volunteer at the Bon Secours Hospital gift shop and supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In memory of her husband, she participated in the initial Less Cancer Bike Ride, a 300-mile bicycle ride across the state, by driving a support and gear vehicle. Trudy and her family received the organization's Annie Award for their efforts.

A Girl Scout leader, Trudy hosted camp week and gatherings for her troop as well as her son's Indian Guides. She also was a member of the PTA. She attended many Grosse Pointe South High School band and orchestra concerts and headed the grapefruit and orange fundraiser sale. In addition, Trudy was in charge of the voting precinct at Maire Elementary School, where she felt blessed to greet many neighbors and family friends.

She visited her children out West and had many adventures in Colorado and Utah. She also enjoyed traveling to England, Scotland, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Toronto.

Trudy's family said she set an example for young women and her children that their passions could be pursued while raising and being devoted to family.

A memorial gathering will take place Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 1 pm until 4 pm with a blessing at 3:30pm at Chas. Verheyden, Inc. 16300 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park. We welcome friends and family to take a piece of Trudy's artwork during the visitation. Pieces will be available inside and outside if guests prefer not to come in. Tuesday is also Trudy's Birthday and she would like friends to take a cupcake home to celebrate in memory of her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society Woman of the Year Campaign, online at https://pages.lls.org/mwoy/mi/detroit21/jweitzmann

or checks, payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, may be mailed to Janice Lovchuk, 2259 Thomas Ave., Berkley, MI 48072;

or Christ Church Cranbrook, https://christchurchcranbrook.org/
or Make-A-Wish Michigan, https://secure2.wish.org/
or Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association, http://www.cramba.org/

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