Aileen Marilyn (Ard) Martineau

The family of Aileen Martineau nee Ard sadly announce her sudden passing on October 6, 2021. Our family is utterly and emotionally devastated by her loss. Our Mom was our wool that held our family together.

Aileen Marilyn Ard was born May 1, 1939, in Melville, Saskatchewan. The first born, followed by sisters, Beverly Joan and Shirley Marie. Proud parents, Jack and Stella Ard. Aileen was raised as a “townie” of sorts although they did travel quite extensively to nearby family farms. Many a time was spent at the “show” or ice skating in town. Finishing grade 11, Aileen decided she would try her hand at an early career. She applied at the telephone service on a whim and received the job, passing the interview as she could spell all of the nearby towns and cities.

Aileen met Roy Martineau at a festival. She caught his eye as she was a lefty throwing a ball at one of the games. The teasing lasted, they married June 3rd of 1957.

A family was soon started. Son Daniel Victor arrived December of 1957, followed by twins, Bonnie Lou and Brenda Lee, just over a year later, January of 1959, followed even closer that same December of 1959, another daughter Cheryl Anne. My Mom must have realized she was now a little busier with all those babes. We teased her greatly and she would say, “You just took care of them, you didn’t think, you just did it.” Well, she and Dad must’ve thought enough thinking, and another daughter was born July of 1962, Nancy Lorraine. After much more thought, another daughter was brought home in August of 1969, Christie Marie, much to the chagrin of brother Danny asking Mom if they could take her back for a brother. That’s a lot of children to care for and a job my Mom did with much caring and strict raising with Dad. Mom was a stay-at-home Mom and worked tirelessly to care for us all including Dad.

Mom became a breadwinner of sorts for her own interests, Farmers Market. This journey she embarked on took her through a 32-year career of knitting and making lifetime friends at many a market. Lovingly referred to as “The Sock Lady”, and it stuck. There were many a customer that would buy them by the handfuls emptying her table more than once. Family was so blessed with socks and slippers for many years, but we all received our much-anticipated Afghan each year we graduated, even down into the grandchildren. Some of us were even blessed with a pair of mitts we would beg her to build for us!

Dad passed away in September of 2011, allowing Mom to fulfil a new chapter in her life. This included many train trips by Via rail. It took some getting used to, dropping her off and waving goodbye for a couple weeks, always waiting patiently for her return and our Mom back within arms reach. Us siblings had opportunity to make one last trip to Saskatchewan via our brother’s motor home. Now that was a trip to remember! My Mom had the best time ever, not to mention her two sisters, brother-in-law, and all of our cousins, including us four. It was a trip we all were so glad we took the time to spend with our Mom.

The last few years began to show the strength that Mom truly had. Mom ended up breaking a hip and breaking her back which brought new friends into her life moving into Parkland Lodge. Old friendships rekindled and new ones alike.

Our Mom is a true light in all our lives, from us kids to the grandkids, 16, to the great grandkids, another 18. We often reminded her it all started with that lefty throwing that baseball so many years ago. My Mom will be missed by so, so many. But we embrace the fact that we had her for the time we did. My Mom leaves behind a legacy like no other.

Son, Danny (Kathy) Martineau with their children Jyllis and her daughters, Drew and Camdyn, Kyle and his son Cooper, Michelle (Bryce) and their daughter Meryk.

Daughter Bonnie (Kelly) Brown with their children Wayne (Leonie), Natasha (Curtis) and their daughters Kallie and Maraih, Dustin (Ashley) and their children Levi (Taylor) and Gracie, Kellsea (Tyson) and their children Nixyn, Zeplynn, Rikki and Emma.

Daughter Cheryl (Grant) Stang with their children, Steven (Brandy) and their sons Colby and Liam, Bree (Einar) and their children Micah and Lincoln, Aaron (Brooklyn).

Daughter Nancy (Curt) Jansen with their children, Blair, Chantel (Jeff), Brandon (Jenna), Brittany (Luke) and their sons Leif and Jasper.

Daughter Christie (Tom) Fossheim with their daughters, Mickilli (Ryan) and Ayshja.

Also, her sister Joan (Bill) Martinook and their families with all the families of her late sister Shirley. Aileen will be missed by so many more family and friends.

Aileen is predeceased by her husband Roy in 2011 and daughter Brenda in 1971. She is also rejoining her parents John and Stella Ard, sister Shirley (Clarence) Ducharme and numerous family members too, waiting for her return.

Our Mom was like a ripple…she touched each of our lives, swept us in, then welcomed the next generation lovingly referred to as Gramma Chickie. Leaving that indelible mark and touching our lives in ways we now know she could. We know she has people to see and places to go but we will always hold her in our thoughts with fond memories.

Rest easy my luv….my best friend…

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