In memory of Martha Kilabuk

Martha Kilabuk was born to Anugaakulu and Naullaq Kelly near Kimmirut on July 27, 1935.

Her mother passed away when she was very young and her father remarried to Pitsiulaalaaq. She was wife to Harry Kilabuk and a mother of 15 children, but lost three.

Martha was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary. She was also a committee member for the Elders Center and the Tammativvik boarding home and involved with the ladies sewing group for the Anglican Church.

On Oct. 15, 2011, our mother Martha Kilabuk passed away at the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital at about 8:50 in the morning.

In her memory we wanted to express our gratitude to the people who made her feel comfortable before her passing.

Thank you to the Qikitani General Hospital and staff for their services in her time of need, the medevac services for caring for her while in transit to the Ottawa General Hospital, and a special thanks to the doctors and staff who started calling her mom while she was in care at the hospital.

Thanks to Larga Baffin for their services and for those who provided country foods for Martha and her daughter Oonga, who escorted her.

Thanks to NTI and QIA for their financial support for her daughter Jeannie, grandson Harry, grandchild Martha and her great grandchildren who attended her funeral with their support. Thank you very much to Leonie Kilabuk and Hannah Idlaut, who gave their advice for proper direction and to those we may have forgotten to mention.

A special thanks to Bryan Pearson and Mike Gardner for organizing the funeral services and to Akeeshuk Joamie and Inuapik Sagiatook for their eulogy on her behalf.

Special thanks to Leeveena Nuyalia, Nellie and Moe Kilabuk, Neevee and Alex Uttak, Leevee and Guy Campbell, Lizzie and Jonah Kelly, Kango Akittiq, Akeego Ekho and Jeannie Alivaqtaq for their moral and financial support while in Ottawa.

Thank you Bryan Pearson and Naullaq Arnaquq and to all those for their donations.

Mother we will miss you. You have always been there for your children and also to anyone who needed your comfort. I hope in some ways we were there for you, too. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us.

We know there will be hard times but you have given us strength to cope even in your death. Heaven has gained a very beautiful soul who believed in living with god no matter what hardships came her way. God bless you!

Qujannamiik.

Martha Kilabuk’s family
Iqaluit

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