KITCHENER — Trudy Beaulne was a tireless advocate for those who couldn't speak for themselves.

The community activist died suddenly on Friday. She was 63.

Beaulne was the executive director of the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region, formerly known as K-W Social Planning Council. She was a well-known figure in Waterloo Region, whose priority was social justice for those who needed it the most.

Beaulne was known for her work on anti-poverty and disability issues, and community neighbourhoods.

"She gave marginalized folks a voice," said Lynn Macaulay, co-ordinator with the Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group.

"This is a big loss," she said. "She has been such a community activist in the true sense of the word. She helped everyday people participate in policy decisions."

Beaulne was on her way home Friday with her brother after attending her mother Irene's funeral last Tuesday in Cochrane, 100 kilometres north of Timmins.

The pair had stopped at a truck stop north of Sudbury to have lunch. Beaulne went into cardiac arrest and died, said her husband Brian Stuebing.

Beaulne, part Métis, was born and raised in Cochrane. She moved to the Waterloo Region area to attend the University of Guelph. She later met Stuebing and the pair were married and lived in Kitchener.

This year, they would have been married for 35 years, said Stuebing, who attended the funeral but came home earlier for work.

"She was a socially conscious, caring person. She wanted to make sure things were done right," he said.

Mary Pappert, 87, worked with Beaulne over the years on projects that involved inclusive and livable communities, and most recently on housing for people with disabilities. Pappert's husband used a wheelchair.

Beaulne was heading the VisitAble Housing project, which focused on building houses that offer basic accessibility. Three of those elements were homes without front stairs, wider hallways on the main level and a main-floor bathroom with enough room for a wheelchair.

Beaulne understood the issues, but lived them too when she had a serious car crash in 2011 and needed a wheelchair for six months during her recovery.

"She was a steadfast worker. She was devoted and dedicated to the community," Pappert said. "She was special."

Michael Hackbusch, spiritual resources director at the House of Friendship, said that like many who work in social service agencies in the region, he too had come across Beaulne.

"She was a great community organizer," said Hackbusch, who recalled her tireless efforts in engaging candidates running in local elections on issues of poverty.

"One of her greatest gifts was her inclusiveness," he said.

"She was able to engage those most affected by a system change and allow them to have a voice in the change."

Beaulne was also instrumental in local discussions on raising the minimum wage and was a founding stakeholder in Living Wage Waterloo Region.

"She was a very caring and compassionate person," he said.

Elizabeth Clarke, executive director of the YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo and a regional councillor, said she also worked with Beaulne on anti-poverty research and disability rights.

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"She was ferocious. She was absolutely determined," said Clarke. "She was a creative thinker and not satisfied with political answers."

Beaulne is survived by her husband and four children, John, Daniel, Laura and Rebecca. She became a grandmother when her first grandchild, Riley, was born in October.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend Henry Walser Funeral Home on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Memories will be shared at 2 p.m.