Beryle Martinek, 96, a longtime resident of Burlington Vermont, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2018 in Helena, Montana. She is survived by her children; Jane Martinek-Slyker, Paul Martinek, Angela Martinek and Timothy Martinek. Beryle had 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Beryle was born in Southampton, England on September 17, 1922. During WWII she was a driver in the RAF. While serving her country, she met Frank Martinek, a Colonel in the Czech Air Force and they were married. After the war they moved to Prague, Czechoslovakia. They eventually immigrated to Montreal, Canada. Beryle became active in her Church and the Daughters of the British Empire.
Subsequently they immigrated to the United States. After living in Cincinnati, Ohio and Glendora, California they moved to Burlington Vermont. Beryle became the social worker at Birchwood Nursing Home.
Beryle was involved in the Lutheran Church and the Overseas Wives. She devoted a lot of time and effort in promoting the British way of life. Over the years she was instrumental in helping open a British Tea Room and it was dedicated to her, “The Duchess Tearoom” in Essex Junction, VT. Beryle was an avid collector of British china and cups and saucers. After she retired she stayed active with the Overseas Wives and she became a volunteer at the UVM Medical Center Hospital. Beryle moved to Eugene OR and was involved with the Eugene Symphony Guild and the Assistance League of Eugene.
Beryle enjoyed travelling, reminiscing, reading and socializing. She will be missed by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Burlington, VT this Spring. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Beryle.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ann Hathaway says
We worked together at Birchwood. She was fun and caring and so interesting! I have many fond memories of her . RIP .Ann
Sue Chase says
Beryle was an amazing person. Her zest for life was infectious. I worked with her at the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging for several years. One of my favorite memories was going to see the Montreal Canadians with her. Her favorite part of the game were the fights, which didn’t fit my image of her proper British background. Over the holidays I made her famous Slivovice cake which is a favorite of many of her friends at CVAA. My deepest condolences to Beryle’s family. I will always have warm memories of her.
Jo Evelti says
Paul,
I was sorry to read about your mother passing. It sounds like she had a long interesting life.