Marla Lehtimaki
April 30, 1937-September 30, 2012
It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Marla Lehtimaki (nee Wile) Sunday, September 30, 2012.
Marla was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and spent close to 30 years in New Liskeard, Ontario, raising her family of three beautiful daughters. She moved west to Nanaimo to be closer to her oldest daughter, Leslee (Larry) Rushton and her very first grandchildren, Crosby and Madison.
She is also survived by daughter, Crystal Ann (Jack) and grandchildren, Kristofer-Aiden, and Katri-Ann, of Kingston; as well as daughter, Shauna (Shawn) and grandchildren, Bella and Piper of Sudbury. Other members of her immediate family are her sister Cheryl; Aubrey and Leah Ferguson of Oakville, sister Bonnie, Daniel (Trois Rivieres) and Sara Johnson (Acton), and Rick and Joy Wile (Kamloops) and their daughters, Jennifer, Jessica and Jamie, and families in Calgary.
Marla was predeceased by her husband, Bert Lehtimaki, who died in 1973. Bert’s death presented her with raising their three daughters as a single parent, hosting daycare, baking, especially cake decorating, and volunteering countless community hours. She was also predeceased by her parents, Mamie and Ford Wile who she cared for during the majority of their senior years; her brother, Don Wile of Fort McMurray; mother and father in-law, Sylvia and Tom Lehtimaki.
She met several medical challenges with endless courage, strength and stamina. She looked forward to flying from east to west and back, every year to see her children and grandchildren, as well as many other relatives and friends who she cared about, and stayed in touch with for years. Though the jaunts challenged her strength, they were nothing compared to surviving breast cancer twice, having a recent knee replacement and overcoming other health-related issues.
Marla will forever be remembered for being a great daughter, sister, mom, nana, sister in law, and friend throughout her lifetime. Though we feel she left us too early, we are fortunate and blessed to have been so close to the love and kindness that Nana Marla exuded.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10:30 am in Lantzville at St. Philips by-the-Sea. Interment will take place in New Liskeard, Ontario, where she will be at rest beside her beloved Bert and parents Mamie and Ford Wile, at her request.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marla’s memory may be made to the BC Breast Cancer Society, the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. Philips by-the-Sea (Lantzville, BC), and St. John’s Anglican Church (New Liskeard, Ont.)