Aldene Carol Martynuck

MARTYNUCK, Aldene Carol (nee McPhee) – Peacefully surrounded by her family at the Sault Area Hospital on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the age of 71. Loving devoted wife and best friend of Stan for 53 years. Most precious mother of Stan (Jane), Tammy Zalewski (Walter) and Debbie Berto (Robert) Special Baba to Allison Zalewski (Rob), Matthew Zalewski, Nicholas Berto and Benjamin Martynuck. Daughter of the late Clyde & Marguerite (Peg) McPhee. Sister of Terry McPhee (Jill). Daughter-in-law of the late Bartyk & Josephine Martynuck. Sister-in-law of Anne Stone (late Gord), Norma Martynuck (late John), Sue Stanghetta (Mel), Bill Martynuck (Carol), Jim Maciuk (Doreen) and the late Marie Stanghetta (late Mike). Very special aunt of many nieces and nephews. Cherished friend to many. Thank you to all the wonderful people including Doctors, Nurses, PSW’s and Home Health Care Workers that enriched Mom’s life. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, May 27, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm. Funeral Mass to be celebrated from Precious Blood Cathedral on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 10 am. Rev. Hamish Currie officiating. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Easter Seals Society or the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre of Algoma would be appreciated.

Aldene's Eulogy by her daughter Tammy:

Hello everyone thank you for coming. My name is Tammy and I am Aldene’s oldest daughter. My heart is hurting but I wanted to say a few things. Mom has been sick for as long as we can remember. Her will and love of life kept her going. Her prayers to God included seeing her kid’s graduate grade school, high school, marry and having grandchildren. There was always a goal. She reasoned that arthritis was a life sentence of suffering which she accepted willingly because of her strong faith and desire to live. We often questioned how she could go on, but not Mom - it was a challenge and she treasured the gift of life God granted her. How did she master the many challenges laid out for her? It was with God at her side she found ways to bounce back.

When I think about Mom, the first thought that comes to mind is that she was such a kind and loving person. Her first love of course was her family. She was a good wife and a wonderful mother. Her family always came first and nothing pleased her more than becoming a Baba upon the arrival of grandchildren. She was hooked!!

She was a fine example of how life should be lived. I believe her job on earth was to be an example for all of us. What a hard job God gave to her. But she pulled it off. She suffered in silence, but took the time to compliment, guide, and open her door. She worked from her phone keeping in touch and encouraging others to go on when they thought they could not. She lived a clean life. She was never grumpy and she loved big. Quietly her example was what we should all be. Always a smile on her face and love in her heart - it did not cost her a cent. Please accept her gift with open arms and learn from her. It costs nothing to give to others, but we see what the pay back is - LOVE. We always have heard from everyone what a great lady mom was and we knew it. She was trying to send a message to all of us with the way she lived. To love each other, to take a minute to visit someone in need, to open your door, open your heart to others and the rewards you will receive are unbelievable.

She loved to bake and cook but when those things could not be accomplished, she did not grieve. She would move onto something else. Many of us have not seen someone come back so many times from deaths doors, but God still had things for her to do.

Not only was she our mother but she has mothered many. If you happened to cross mom’s path you were hooked and there was no going back. You fell in love and became part of her life, which meant part of our life. She made friends and grew us an extended family. We have so many people in our circle because of her. She treated everyone the same as she wanted to be treated. It’s hard to remember how much sickness she endured but she did it because she loved all of us. So please take away a gift that God gave to her to pass to us- be kind and gentle, never be angry, say thank you and treat others how you want to be treated. Never say I can’t because there is usually another path to follow. Mom never gave up when she could no longer dance. She could at least be a judge while the grandkids performed. For Big Al there were always different options.

We have memories of dad singing to mom every day for the six weeks she was in a coma. One day the doctor stood at the foot of the bed suggesting we might pull the plug. A tear rolled out of the corner of her eye and the next day she woke up. Amazing.

Everyone keeps telling us how good we were to mom. But please know that we gave to her what she gave to us. The example Mom and Dad bestowed upon us with their love was amazing. We wanted to be there and help because she gave us far more than we gave her.

We will all miss her kind and loving spirit. We should all take a page from her book of life and learn to enjoy the simple things in life. She may be gone but will always live in our hearts and in our memories forever.

In closing, my prayer for all of us is that we find peace knowing how much she loved all of us so very much. Hold your memories of our wife, mother and baba close to your heart. She will always be beside you watching, guiding and loving each and every one of you - so make her proud. She is no longer in pain, she has been freed and moved onto bigger and better things because she knew her job here was done and God needed her.

Even in the end, Mom was still concerned and worried about us. In her selfless way, she called all of her family and friends close and shared her love and words of wisdom and advice one last time. She asked us if it was all right for her to go because she was so tired. Even in the end, her family was her concern.

Good-bye Mom, we love you. We will miss you terribly but your days of pain and suffering are done. God Bless.

In Memory of Aldene Carol McPhee Martynuck May 28, 2011

When I think of Aldene, I think of many, many wonderful qualities. But the quality that always rises to the top is that of courage…

The following quotes are so in tune with how my sister-in-law lived her life. Please allow me to take few moments to share them with you:

"Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have strength." Napoleon Bonaparte

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. " Mary Anne Radmacher

These words describe Aldene’s attitude perfectly:

"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson

"You can always die. It's living that takes real courage." Himura Kenshin

And Princess Diana wrote:

"Life is mostly froth and bubble,

but two things stand like stone,

kindness in another’s trouble

and courage in your own."

Finally, one of my favourite authors, Maya Angelou has many words of wisdom that apply to our dear Aldene:

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."

No matter how she felt, how scared she was or how much pain she was in, Aldene always made sure that those around her felt welcome and special.

Maya Angelou must have known Aldene when she wrote:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant."

With much love and many fond memories,

Your Sister(-in-law)

Jill McPhee