Yesterday, my mom took her last breath and is now – finally – at peace.

I know I’ve vented over the years, but deep down, no matter what, I loved her. In working through our various issues, I believe I’ve settled at a point where I’m comfortable, and in the past two years we two accepted each other and let the other bullshit slide.

My grandmother was a fan of Longfellow poetry, and she passed that on to me, as most have seen here before. Although this is only a passage from A Psalm of Life, I wanted to share it as I know my grandmother would have. I’ve also included one of Loreena McKennitt’s most beautiful pieces, Dante’s Prayer.

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

Donna Lynne Martindale of Thornhill MB passed on June 25th at the age of 64. She is survived by her children: daughter Jodi, sons Jarrett (Zoe) and Jordan (Ashley); grandchildren Rhiannon, Carrie, Isabella, Scarlett and Brynlee; extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Wilfred (2003) & Shirley (2004), brother Grant (1984), and granddaughters Brittany & Lori (1992).

Donna spent 33 years working first as a switchboard operator and then as dispatch for Manitoba Telecom Services. She was a proud member of the CEP union, striking for workers rights for the last time in 1999, not long before she took early retirement. Her love of travel served her well, and she made many trips to visit family all across Canada and into the US. When her health required her to stay closer to home, she enjoyed short trips to play cards and reminisce with those in the area. In her later years she took up quilting, making several baby quilts for family and friends.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Thornhill Community Hall on Monday, June 30th at 2 PM. In lieu of cards and flowers, the family requests that donations be made instead to the Alzheimer Society or the Heart & Lung Association.

The family wishes to thank Drs. Carl Duerksen and Bob Menzies, as well as the staff of Boundary Trails Hospital for their care over the past months. The list of family and friends is long, but know you are in our hearts for all that you have done.