(nee Jappinen)
Passed away peacefully at Cormorant Island Long Term Care facility, Alert Bay, BC after a 12 year battle with Alzheimer’s. She was predeceased by her parents Eeva and Olavi Jappinen, brothers-in-law Heikki Kaario and Erkki Nevatie, sister-in-law Andrea Foy, niece Susan Nevatie and nephews Eric and Stephen Nevatie. She is survived by her husband of 45 years Stan Martin of Port McNeill, BC, children Krista Martin (Richard Coffey) Matthew Martin (Lani Siminoff) and grandchildren Eeva Payne, Ezra Coffey, Beau Martin and Este’ Martin. Sisters Sirkka Kaario and Tuula Nevatie plus many nieces and nephews. Kaarina was born in Hankasalmi, Finland and moved to Helsinki with her family when she was 12 years old.
After graduation from high school she immigrated to Canada being fully bilingual in Finnish and English. She worked as a nurse’s aide in Maple Ridge where she met and married Stan in 1973. She was primarily a stay at home mom but worked in different part time and full time jobs in support of Stan’s banking career with CIBC and Westminster Savings Credit Union. Together they move 6 times throughout BC. Kaarina was well loved, enjoyed travel and socializing with family.
The family would like to thank the staff for their excellent care Kaarina received her last 3 years living at the care facility in Alert Bay. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer Society.
