Carmen Espinal
Aug 6, 1937
– May 19, 2014
Born Maria del
Carmen Martinez Merlos in Galera, Spain. Wife of Manuel Espinal. Loving mother
of Francisco Javier (Panya Clark
Espinal) and Belinda (Warren Stoughton), proud and devoted grandmother of Keith
Ellis and Amaya, and Mika Espinal.
Granddaughter of –
Adelaida Martinez Garcia, Juan de Dios Merlos Martinez and Adelaida Carrasco
Martinez, Miguel Martinez Garcia (with the common last names, no relations
between GP’s).
Daughter of Pasion
Merlos Martinez, Emiliano Martinez Carrasco of Galera, Spain.
Sister of Rosario
(Chari), and Francisco (Paco).
Aunt to many nieces
and nephews with a special bow to Eva Martinez.
Carmen spent her
early years in Galera, Spain and remained there to care for her grandparents,
Mama Lala (Adelaida) and Papa Juan de Dios. Around 1954 she joined her parents
and siblings in Barcelona where she found joy in caring for physically
challenged children at the Hermanas Servidoras del Jesus del Cottolengo del
Padre Alegre and competing nationally with the provincial synchronized swimming
team of the Sociadad Atletica de Barcelona. In 1957 she responded to a pen pal request which resulted in
4 years of correspondance with Manuel who she would come to marry on September
11, 1961 in Pamplona, Spain.
Carmen came to
Toronto on June 5, 1962 where her two children were born and where, for many
years, she laboured to support her husband in welcoming, feeding and sheltering
over 25 family and friends immigrating to Canada.
Carmen made huge
contributions to the founding and development of the Spanish community in
Toronto, especially with the Club Hispano. Countless events celebrating the culinary and cultural
traditions of her ancestors were held up by Carmen’s activities in the kitchen,
on the dance floor, the choir and in the creation of costumes.
In the early 1970’s
Carmen began her 26-year career at the Toronto Dominion Bank where she took
great pleasure among a circle of colleagues in the heart of Toronto’s bustling
city life. In the 1980’s Carmen volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital, offering
over 500 hours of service.
Some of Carmen’s
greatest hours of joy came in raising her grandchildren, taking every
opportunity to contribute to their care and proudly witnessing their achievements. In her later life Carmen began making
regular trips to the west coast of Canada where her daughter, Belinda, welcomed
her to the deep and peaceful beauties of the forest, river and beach. Carmen came to life in these times…
fishing, riding a tricycle and endlessly combing the beach for smooth, round
rocks and treasures.
Carmen was diagnosed
with melanoma in 2009 and wrestled throughout her remaining years to come to
grips with her dying time with the grace and generosity she had embodied
throughout her life. Her primary
palliative caregivers, Negest and Jasmina, became close companions, alongside
her family, in her many days of suffering. Dying was a hard and long labour for Carmen. Those of us who were able to labour
alongside her, to serve her last days in witness to her enduring beauty and
beauty-making are honoured to have received and carry the gift of having known such a fine
woman. May we all honour her in
feeding life in the presence of her death.
A gathering in
Carmen’s honour will be held at the Club Hispano on Sunday May 25th
from 3-6 pm. 3465 Dundas Street
West, Toronto.
In lieu of gifts or
flowers donations can be made to the Dorothy Lea Hospice. www.dlhospice.org
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