Tribute

Carmen Marie Martine, née Laflamme: Born in Padoue, Québec, long-time resident of Duncan, BC, passed away May 6, 2020 at the age of 82 as a result of post-operative complications.

Predeceased by her parents J.Napoleón Laflamme and Albine Turgeon; second husband Dr. Mel Kunkel (2007-2013); first husband and father to Linda and David, Dr. Roland Jean-Marie Martine (Apr 18, 1960-Mar 16, 1981); siblings: Jean-Luc, Lucien, Eléonore, Camille, Gilberte, Yvon, Geraldine, Gilles, and Ghyslaine.

Survived and will be missed greatly by children Linda and David; sisters Colette and Janine; numerous nieces and nephews, in particular Carole Laflamme, US Navy Cpt. Colleen O’hara McLarnon (ret.); God Daughter Cynthia Quinn-McLarnon; many nieces and nephews. Carmen will also be greatly missed by neighbours and friends at Woodmere, St. Edward’s Catholic church, and Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation; most notably, dear friend Judy Gloster with whom Carmen, for years, saw almost every day.

Carmen was the youngest of 12. In 1947, her family moved from Padoue to Saint-Romuald on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence, across from Quebec City, with a 1955 move across the river to Quebec. In 1958 Carmen worked as Secretary for the Quebec Labour Minister, Donat Quimper, and married Roland Jean-Marie Martine, MD April 18, 1960. Shortly after they moved to Flint Michigan for Roland’s 2 years residency before moving to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, for Roland’s first medical practice with his university friend and second cousin, Maurice Creurer. Adoptions of Linda 1963, David 1965, then in 1969 they moved to Duncan for Roland’s second practice. Flint, along with earlier trips to Detroit to help her sister Eléonore with her children, supported Carmen’s efforts to learn to speak English to help promote Roland’s new medical practice in English speaking Canada.

Carmen was a woman of many talents – entertaining, home design, gardening, dancing and cooking. Curling with Roland in both Meadow Lake and Duncan, taking turns hosting bridge with Joan Wakelin and others. Carmen had great memories of volunteering with her old, now also departed friend Timmie Laugheed at the 1994 XV Commonwealth Games, Victoria. With Mel, Carmen wrote the popular book “Best of the Large Print Cookbooks” with CNIB in mind, to help the visually challenged. Carmen baked countless Yule log cakes and tourtière meat pies for school or church fundraisers – labours of love, but results loved by all. She later worked very hard, with spices and leaner meats, on a new, healthier tourtière recipe that would be equally as delicious as the original – she succeeded and it’s in the book for all to see.

One of the many things people remember about Carmen is that she was a very beautiful and stylish woman.  A trip to the store, even just for milk, was no excuse not to be looking her best and you’d never see her eating off of a tray either – plates go on tables, she would say. This is not to say she wouldn’t tackle any job herself – in fact, while Dad was the GP Surgeon, the tools in the house were Mom’s – nevertheless, she’d say there was no reason to not have cute boots and matching gloves while on the job.

Linda and David would like to thank their mother’s nurses and doctors at Victoria General Hospital for their care of their mother, who held medical professionals in the highest regard.

A Celebration of life service, TBA – to learn of updates, please email the following:
d_ppm@yahoo.com

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to BC Cancer Foundation
http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/CarmenMartine