Honoring the Life of Martha N. Sherstobitoff
April 19, 1947 - October 18, 2017
Martha was born on April 19, 1947 at Marsh Creek in a little shack in Fruitvale, BC to parents Florence (Baba) and Nick (Deda) Sherstobitoff.
She was pre-deceased by her mother, father, three brothers Steven, Billy, Andy, brother in law Bill, and sister in law Mary.
She was the third oldest of her seven siblings. She eventually built her home and remained in Marsh Creek her entire life amongst all her family on land that was provided to them by their father.
Martha is survived by her three daughters Lisa, Violete (James) and Stacey (Matt), four grand children Stephanie, Dylan (Katelyn), T.J., Andrew and one beautiful great grandchild Liam. Martha is also survived by her brother Nick (Caroline), sister Nancy, brother Tommy, sister in law Mary Handley, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Throughout her years, she loved to go huckleberry picking with her family. She couldn't wait for that time of the year to come to head out to the mountains to pick. She was famous for her cooking and everyone knew about Martha's famous borscht, sauces, jams, pickles, canning and her most famous delicious perogies.
Her main love in her life was her children and her family. Second to that was her love of gardening. She always had to be the first to plant in the spring and was the best when it came to her horticultural skills. She loved her garden, her vegetables and especially her herbs. She was very competitive and made sure she always had the first bud blooms and the biggest cucumber of the season. When the garden started producing she started canning and never stopped until all her garden was in jars or in the freezer. She was very superstitious and planted by the moon. She believed if she was the first to plant she would be the first to eat even if it meant picking others first harvest without their knowledge so she could brag that she grew the first cucumber. She would always be seen weeding and tilling her tenth of an acre garden, which by the time she was finished she would have to start all over again.
Martha loved her television shows especially the Voice and you better not disturb her while she was watching it or you would get her glare and sharp words to be quiet. One other major love was her accordion, we would all gather at her home as she played and sang. You would visit Martha at her house or drive her to town and she would have you laughing in hysterics with her stories and general demeanour about life and people.
Martha had the loudest voice second to her mom Florence and the kindest heart and made sure anyone who came to visit her was always well fed. We would often joke that she fed all of Fruitvale at one point of time. She loved her family, feeding her grandchildren, nephews and nieces, playing the accordion but her legacy will always be her amazing garden.
Martha was diagnosed with cancer in February 2017 and went through several medical procedures including chemotherapy. She fought a tough fight and never gave up but the sickness was stronger and sadly took over.
The angels came and took our beautiful Garden Angel with so much peace as all her loving family held her Wednesday evening, October 18, 2017.
She is and always will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. The valley will never be the same without her loud, loving presence.
We would like to send a heartfelt thanks to all the Nurses and Physicians who took exceptional care of our Mom throughout her treatment and during her final days.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.at Fruitvale Christian Fellowship Church at 1878 Columbia Gardens Road, Fruitvale, British Columbia. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made to Fruitvale Christian Fellowship Church, 1878 Columbia Gardens Road, Fruitvale, British Columbia.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Rest in Peace our Garden Angel.
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services