Trudi Mazzetti
Trudi Mazzetti passed away in her sleep early in the morning of Wednesday, January 31, 2018, in Santa Barbara. She was born Gertrude Schneider on a dairy farm near Modesto, California, on March 22, 1917, the second daughter of Matthias and Anna Schneider. Her parents had come to America from a small village in the former Austro Hungarian Empire. Trudi had three sisters, Louise, Christl, and Roberta, and one brother, Henry. (Another brother, Frances, died in infancy.) The farm, only 30 acres, sustained the family through the Depression and promoted ingenuity in making do with bare necessities. Trudi and her sibling helped in the fields, drove hay wagons and helped serve meals at communal crop gathering times.
In a two-room Mountain View country grammar school Trudi’s began her lifelong love of art. Next was attendance at Turlock high school. Known then by the nickname “Gertie”, she thoroughly enjoyed her studies, served as art editor of the school annual, held various offices and graduated with honors. She was admitted to California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, then won a four-year scholarship to Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. At Art Center, Trudi met her future husband, Louis Mazzetti, who was studying Industrial Design. They married in 1940. The design courses got Louis a job at Lockheed in Seattle. After 18 months in Washington State, the couple moved to Glendale, then to Santa Barbara.
Trudi produced book illustrations, did fashion design, mural painting, posters and decorating projects. The Mazzetti’s lived in a small house near Oak Park, then moved to a Louis-designed contemporary house in Mission Canyon. There she started working in pottery, produced paintings, collages and monoprints. Trudi chaired committees and assisted at the “Yes Store”. She was an active member of St. Barbara Parish and notably co-founded the Old Mission Art Festival (I Madonnari), held every July 4th.
The family grew to four boys. Trudi was active in school affairs and cub scouts. She also found time to contribute to the Santa Barbara art scene. Trudi and Louis greatly enjoyed world travel and took inspiration from foreign sights and experiences. After Louis passed away in 2001, Trudi moved to the senior living community Maravilla. There she continued her social, artistic and intellectual interests for 15 enjoyable years.
Trudi is survived by her brother Henry Schneider, son Mark and his companion Judy Minium, son Paul, son Alan and wife Mindy, son Michael and wife Elizabeth.
Trudi Mazzetti truly lived a full life. She was a very talented and prolific artist. She had a wonderful family and many good friends. She was a generous and grateful member of the community. Trudi left an enduring impression of her bright spirit in her beautiful artwork.
A memorial gathering date will be announced.
Donations in her memory may be made to:
Direct Relief International, 27 South Patera Lane, Goleta, CA 93117
Catholic Charities, 609 East Haley, Santa Barbara, CA 93101