GORE BAY—Resident Joyce Martens received the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home ‘Making a Difference’ award at the nursing homes annual barbecue party event June 21.
Gloria Hall, activities coordinator at the Manitoulin Lodge told all those at the event, “Every year we are asked to choose a resident who has made a difference since coming to live at Manitoulin Lodge. Each year the choice gets harder as each resident makes a difference in their own way.”
“Our recipient this year was born on October 10, 1955, in Melbourne, Australia to parents Johan (John), and Gasperdina (Diny) Martens. She was their first child. Joyce Martens has two younger sisters, Diana and Ingrid. Joyce is the mother of Scott and Erin Miller. She is the grandmother of Caleb and twins Ben and Ethan,” said Ms. Hall.
“Joyce has worked hard all her life. Being an older sister, she helped with her younger sisters,” continued Ms. Hall. “Then she started babysitting at the age of 11. At age 16 she had her first real job in the working world, at a Kmart department store. After getting married she worked at a car dealership as a receptionist. Joyce also worked in cosmetics at Sears for years while raising her two young children. Then she worked at Minute Canada and Things Engraved as a receptionist and secretary. Joyce was and still is a perfectionist in all she did and was loved and appreciated by all her bosses. Joyce always put forth her best effort.”
“She was an amazing housekeeper who learned from the best, her mom, whose Dutch background, ‘it’s not clean unless it’s Dutch clean’ and her cooking skills were out of this world,” continued Ms. Hall. “Joyce was an exceptional baker. Christmas was always a well thought out event. She loved getting everything ready down to the matching ribbon bows and tags (to match the wrapping paper). She always did copious amounts of baking that the family enjoyed for a long time after Christmas. Her mom could take any cut of meat and make it tender. Joyce also learned to sew from her mother’s teaching as well.”
“In fact, when her mom took ill and was in the hospital for six weeks on two separate occasions, Joyce cared for her younger siblings, cooked for the whole family and cleaned house along with going to school,” said Ms. Hall.
“Joyce learned about car care and auto mechanics from her father. She was his personal secretary. She had amazing typing skills,” said Ms. Hall. “In her later years she worked as a cashier to support her family. When her late husband Jim took ill, she was an amazing caregiver to him until his last days.”
“Joyce can bring any plant back to life,” said Ms. Hall. “Joyce was a makeup artist, skills she learned while working at Sears in the make-up department. Lots of friends and family wanted her to do their makeup for special occasions. Joyce continues to always look so prim and proper and ready for the day.”
Ms. Hall explained, “Joyce is always looking out for her fellow residents making sure they are ready for their meals with their clothing protectors in place and extra serviettes are available. She checks in on other residents, looking to make sure they have everything they need. She is happy to go and get anything that is required. She reports any concerns a resident may have. She is a great, caring roommate.”
“Joyce is very helpful and a wonderful team player,” said Ms. Hall. “She is selfless when helping others even though she may not feel it. She is like a mother to others even though she is younger than most. And she is so patient.”
“It is a great pleasure to present the ‘Making a Difference’ award to Joyce Martens. Congratulations,” added Ms. Hall.
