Marthann Demchuk

On July 4, 2013, Marthann (Lang) Demchuk (76) was tragically lost to her family and friends as the victim of a terrible accident in San Clemente, California while celebrating Independence Day. Marthann was born in Iowa September 20, 1936 to Martha Elizabeth (Shelton) and Herbert Haven Lang. When she was not much more than a year old, the Lang family decided to head West and on the way, Marthann became a big sister when Linda Lu was born in Texas. The family settled in Long Beach, California. It was there that Marthann was first exposed to what would become her lifelong occupation, caring for the elderly. A few years later, she was blessed with another little sister when Jon Marie was born. The family moved to Lynwood and Marthann eventually graduated from Lynwood Adventist Academy. With an interest in Nursing she attended Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, which may have been influenced by the fact that a young suitor, Eugene ('Gene') Alwin Demchuk, was also in attendance. It was at P.U.C. that their relationship blossomed, as well as their love of the Napa Valley. Although Gene attended La Sierra College, they were able to continue their courtship while Marthann completed her AS degree in nursing at Glendale Adventist Hospital. Marthann and Gene were married in 1957 and it soon became evident that she would follow in her parent's footsteps and go into elder care. In the early days, it was simply caring for a few residents in a home in Sierra Madre while living in the basement as Gene finished law school. This eventually led to Marthann obtaining her Administrator's license and running the family's facility in Pasadena, later becoming an Owner/Operator herself. In fact, the name of the facilities, Marlinda, was a name created by combining Marthann's and Linda's names. With two children (Michael and Mariann) and another on the way (Marc), the young family eventually settled in Upland, California in 1965 and would remain in the family home until 1988. The family continued to expand with two more children (Matthew and Martha) and then their family was complete. During these years, Marthann and Gene would frequent the Napa Valley and especially Saint Helena. One weekend, Marthann explained that they were taking a weekend trip to the 'Valley' and when questioned about accommodations, Marthann simply replied 'I've taken care of it'. Unbeknownst to Gene, she had just recently purchased a quant 2 bedroom home in Saint Helena. Upon arrival, Gene inquired if she had rented the home for the weekend and she said, 'No, I bought it'. They frequented their Valley getaway and over the next couple of years, were informed of a potential business opportunity in town. In 1989, they purchased a skilled nursing facility on Pratt Avenue. Marthann initially ran the facility but eventually turned over management to her son-in-law and then to her son. Although her family's brand of care was evident at the facility, the decision was made to sell the property and the facility was closed in 2004. A year later, she lost the love of her life when Gene passed away from complications associated with cancer. She continued to run her family's facility in Pasadena, as well as her own, Two Palms Nursing Center. It is a true testament to her love and care of the residents in her facilities that so many of her employees have worked for her for so many years, some for over 40 years. As mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she will certainly be missed. Marthann is predeceased by her husband (Gene Demchuk), her parents (Martha & Herb Lang) and her sister (Linda Gassoumis). She is survived by her sons Michael Demchuk (Kristen), Marc Demchuk (Jody) and Matthew Demchuk (Rebecca); her daughters Mariann Beddoe (Ric) and Martha Fessenden (Trevor); grandsons Simon Demchuk, Nicholas Beddoe, Christopher Beddoe, Kelyn Demchuk, Mason Fessenden, Kashton Demchuk and Logan Fessenden; granddaughters Sarah Demchuk, Laura Beddoe, Kayla Demchuk, Haven Demchuk, Hartleigh Demchuk and Harper Demchuk; great-grandsons Triton Demchuk and Deezal Demchuk; a sister, Joni Goodnight; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marthann's name to the Academy of Music for the Blind (http://www.ouramb.org/) or to Ukiah Junior Academy (www.myuja.org). A Celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July 13 at 3:00 PM at the Vallejo Drive Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Glendale, CA.