Trudi Bennett McGonigal left this world she loved behind on June 13th, 2017. She arrived in the Wood River Valley with her parents and sister 62 years ago with the intent of spending a winter skiing in Sun Valley. Instead, the family stayed on to become some of the original locals from that era and Trudi lived most of her life in her beloved Bellevue, where she felt truly at home. A recent claim to fame was her renowned You be the Judge booth at the annual Bellevue Labor Day Celebration.

Trudi was an installation in the Bellevue Post Office, Norm’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant and Webb Nursery. Eventually she found her true calling in her creative artistry hand crafting jewelry for the Papoose Christmas Bazaar and various vendors and art fairs.

She found a special kinship in the valley’s Idaho Master Gardeners Program, she displayed her love for both flora and fauna in the Bellevue Gardens Tour (and any passersby who accidentally happened up on her amazing perennial beds), and volunteered her time and expertise at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

Trudi added beauty to the world in everything her graceful, nurturing hands touched: the agates and gemstones, the amazing flower gardens gracing her yard, and the people she welcomed into her life that she loved and cared for. There are countless young adults both in the valley and those continuing their lives elsewhere who still affectionately refer to her as their “other mom”.

Every event, hobby and human being she encountered she approached with an abundance of enthusiasm and zest. Trudi touched the hearts of so many people from all walks of life, but above and beyond all of her passions, interests, and friendships she loved and lived for her family, Josie, Ashley and Quinton.

Trudi was preceded in death by her loving parents Doris (D.O.) and Don (Bemco) Bennett of Ketchum and she is survived by daughters Josie Pusl of Boise, Ashley (Alex) Dyer, grandson extraordinaire Quinton, and sister Kristy Bennett Turco all of Hailey.


A celebration of Trudi’s life is being planned for September 2nd at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. In lieu of donations please feel free to make a donation to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden or to an organization of your choosing and to remember, even if only for today, to embrace your life with passion, joy and love. “This World is Our Heaven on Earth”.

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