CRYSTAL DAWN MARTINEZ (WILLOWS)

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CRYSTAL DAWN MARTINEZ
(nee WILLOWS)
July 24, 1978 - November 17, 2021
WARRIOR PRINCESS

Our beloved Crystal passed away peacefully, with her characteristic grace and dignity on November 17, 2021. Crystal was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB: her mother's delight and, as the first of her generation in our family, a gift to us all. Even as a little child she was kind, she was respectful and she was her own person, qualities that would underpin every step of her life.
What her grade one teacher mistook for "bossiness" blossomed into her nurturing leadership. Her creativity led to pranks too outrageous to print. Her sense of fun fed a "go big or go home attitude" that made everything a delicious adventure.
Her capacity for love, nurtured with her mom Cathy and her baby sister Lauren and abandoned kittens never stopped growing. It embraced family, friends, co-workers, strangers and strugglers. She found her forever soul mate in her husband Jon, and the most beloved treasures of her life, their beautiful sons, Malachi and Preston.
Crystal launched her career at age 18 in the food service industry, quickly rising to management where she excelled, breaking records, moving to Calgary and winning the respect and lasting friendship of staff and ownership alike.
When she met her husband Jon everything clicked: kindness and respect, romance, "go big or go home" attitude, outrageous pranks and bold entrepreneurial spirit. They took the trailer business by storm ultimately opening Trailers 24/7 near Cochrane, AB. Following Jon's untimely passing five years ago, Crystal not only carried their business to new heights, she maintained a warm, secure and happy family life, full of laughter and a loving village of friends and relatives.
No challenge was too great for Crystal, whether it was her own or someone else's. Like every warrior nothing shook her self control or composure. She handled any adversity in a calm, practical way, kindly and with respect.
As a mother she was funny and fun, gentle but firm. She had faith in their abilities and in her unworried way always expected their best. "Be kind and be respectful". This is her legacy.
Crystal is survived by her sons, Malachi and Preston, her mother Cathy, father Barry, sisters, Lauren and Jasmine, brothers, Grant and Bradley, as well as her large and loving extended family and many friends.
Our heartfelt thanks go to her "chosen sister" and lifelong friend Susan Sinclair Rice, who has been Crystal's constant support, fierce advocate and twisted side-kick throughout this final difficult journey. Love and thanks go to Katrina Cooey who has worked with Crystal since the beginning of Trailers 24/7 and has kept the business up and running during this difficult time. Thank you to Scott Harvey for filling in wherever and however needed.
Many thanks go to Doctors Stotsky and Kahn, nurse Tracey, Tatiana and all the radiation techs at the Tom Baker Centre.
The funeral will be held at Gleneagles Golf Course, 100 Gleneagles Drive, Cochrane, AB, on Tuesday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. Alberta Covid-19 Restrictions Exemption Program applies to all in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Crystal's name to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.cochranecountryfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 20, 2021, Nov 20, 2021