Obituary of Antoinette Martens

MARTENS:  Antoinette Martens passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Rideau Park Personal Care Home.  She will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Marlene (late Norbert) Vanwynsberghe, Lorraine (Gary) Lippens, Rita (Rick Szczepanski) Martens and Dale Martens. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Tammy, Dennis, Tylyn (Mason) and Tanner Riddle; Colleen Vanwynsberghe and Brad Smith, Brittany (Dylan) and Brielle (Matt); Carlos, Theresa, Brooke and Jaxson Vanwynsberghe; Rick, Tiffany and Emma Lippens; Sherri, Curt, Jeremy, Shaylyn (Tom), Connor Johnson (Kasidee); Tanis, Dave, Kaitlyn, Christian and Aiden Nicholson. She is survived by her brother Marcel (Adrienne) De Meuleneire; sister, Evelyn (Keith) Green and many nieces and nephews. Antoinette was predeceased by her husband, Gerard on March 1, 2017, and her parents Cyriel and Rachel De Meuleneire. Antoinette was born on November 22, 1925 near Bruxelles, Manitoba. On October 7, 1947, she married Gerard Martens and they farmed near St. Alphonse until 1970 when they moved to Brandon. Antoinette loved her family very much. She loved to knit. She made many scarves, mitts toques and afghans over the years. Antoinette lived briefly at Victoria Landing then at Rideau Park, loving both places. She actually tried recruiting others to live there because she liked it so much. She had an incredible memory, remembering everyone’s birthdays and the past weather and storms. She loved facetiming with family and friends. She had 3 requests: not to have pain, to remain at Rideau Park and to not linger. She was a strong woman and carried her cross without complaining. Your suffering is now over. Rest in peace, Mom. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church with Fr. John Okosun as celebrant. Interment will follow at Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Antoinette may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1^st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8 or to Special Olympics Manitoba, Room 304 – 145 Pacific Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6.