Martina Beate Trenholm

On June 10th after a farewell with her loved ones our beloved Martina went Home. Martina is missed by her life-companion Frank and daughters Vanessa and Danica. Martina was born on October 1, 1949 in Riechenbach formally in East Germany. When she was nine her and older sister Petra were sent off by train by their paternal grandmother Freida to join up with their parents in the former West Berlin. As refugees her parents Anita and Gottfried had earlier fled; and, with the assistance of the International Red Cross the family was happily reunited. Martina was an adventurous and courageous person, and at age fifteen moved to Oxford, where she was employed as an AuPair. She lived there for a year and learned to speak Oxford English (with the nicest German accent). Martina was pleased she spoke good English and would explain how as a schoolgirl she had trouble with her English language lessons; and, then after only three months living in England, she spoke fluid English. Later Martina returned to her folks in Germany, where she began preparing for her next adventure. In 1969, at age nineteen with the encouragement of a friend in the Canadian Embassy in Cologne, Martina emigrated to Canada and lived in Ottawa where she was employed as an AuPair. After a year Martina and a group of friends travelled by train to Vancouver; she loved the journey, and she loved Canada. It was there she met Frank. For eleven years Martina and Frank resided throughout the province, where she had many adventures. Martina was employed as a bookkeeper and studied for her 3rd year CGA. She became a Canadian Citizen in 1975. In 1981 they settled in Merritt to start and raise a family. Eventually Martina tired of bookkeeping and devoted her life to loving a family and cooking. Previously, Martina operated Mrs. Mikes Restaurant, was an MSS lunchtime kitchen cook, operated the NVIT kitchen, and liked cooking at the Grand. For many years Martina catered events and weddings with her delicious foods. She was professional, creative and bright and her dishes were trendy and tasteful; whether a modest or complex event Martina always delivered. They were good times. Martina’s heart was full of Love, all she wanted was a simple life and to be safe with her loving family, friends and community. From her point of view, she had everything. There will be no formal service or celebration of life. Should friends desire, donations may be made to the International Committee of The Red Cross (https://www.icrc.org/en/donate).