Remembering
Pauline

It is with a heavy heart that the Canadian Society of Phlebology announces the recent and sudden passing of Dr. Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau. A huge hole remains in all of our lives professionally. I have been surprised at how often my thoughts have gone to Pauline since her passing and have been reminded of our shared loss. Pauline was a legend in our field, a pioneer, a physician, and a leader. I have known her for 20 years and am very grateful for that. I felt I could always count on her, whether for support, or an opinion, and it was always given with enthusiasm. Her tireless dedication, energy, passion, capacity to teach & treat patients, and further Phlebology, not only in Canada, but internationally, was incredibly admirable. She often had a twinkle in her eye, and always a spark for life, adventure, and learning. I will never forget that. Family was clearly very important to her. She had such a big heart. Our thoughts and love are with her family, her partner Louis, her beautiful daughters Stéphanie and Claude-Émilie, her grandchildren, and her siblings. A loss like this is so very difficult, and we draw together around them in support. Last, but not least, Pauline was also a true friend. I will miss her greatly as we all will and do. She is gone now physically, but never forgotten. We all carry a piece of her inside of us, and that is how she will carry on as a force of good in our lives. Rest in peace, Pauline.

“While all the vein-lymphatic world mourns the departure of our Educational Committee Chair, we should all also feel blessed in having enjoyed part of our path with such a Professional and Person. The tragedy in the close up offers us the chance of a wider vision in the long shot, leading us to treasuring our relationships among colleagues from all continents, reminding us to use the same professional determination and personal niceness our “Queen Pauline” showcased so beautifully”.

The passing of Dr. Pauline Martimbeau is a tremendous loss for venous and lymphatic academic community, and the countless lives she touched—from her patients and their families to her students, and colleagues. As we mourn her passing, we remain fiercely committed to preserving her legacy of a passionate and tireless practitioner and educator, and to advancing her work to promote best practice in venous and lymphatic medicine.

I had the immense pleasure of being succeeded in the WUIP Education Committee by Pauline, an example of a mentor who undoubtedly leaves her mark and legacy on all of us

A person who deserved everyone's respect for her amazing energy and conviction...A great professional and selfless educator

I find it difficult to speak in the past tense about Dr. Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau. I feel as if this never happened. She was a dear friend and colleague, funny, always constructive critic and with extraordinary experience and wisdom, but for me the most important thing was the moments of relaxed conversation over a cup of coffee. Every time I think of her, I remember happy and funny situations, and I want this to be the way I remember her. Nobody dies if they are remembered. Let's remember her forever. Love you Pauline

Dear Family, Friends, and the Medical Community, I wish you all find comfort in knowing the immense impact of Pauline’s life and teachings across the world. Her brilliance, compassion, and dedication have transcended time and space, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire generations. Pauline was more than a pioneer in her field—she was a beacon of light and a source of strength to everyone she encountered. Her influence on the medical community and beyond is immeasurable, and her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched. Her legacy is a testament to her extraordinary life, and her contributions will forever resonate within us. Let us honor her by carrying forward her vision and values in our work and in our hearts. To her family and friends, and to all of us who were privileged to know her, my deepest love and appreciation go out to you during this time of loss. May her memory bring comfort and inspire us always.

Being an educator myself, I deeply admire professionals who devote their energy and their whole life to transmitting knowledge and becoming a reference for their colleagues. I have shared little time with Professor Martimbeau but enough to know her personal integrity and scientific conviction

Dearest Pauline, It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell. Only now that you have departed can we truly look back on your legacy to Phlebology, not only in for Canada, but for all of us around the world. Even at the end, you were still working towards improving standards, producing educational material for levels of training. All we can do now is to commit to continuing your legacy and ensuring that your work is completed. I personally shall miss your dignity and good humour, and am comforted by the high esteem and respect that your colleagues and friends have shared over the past few days.

Pauline was truly a giant in the field of Phlebology. Her talents as an educator and leader in the study of venous disorders were unmatched. Pauline’s contributions to the WUIP were immense. Despite her health challenges in recent years, she masterfully led the development of a slide deck on basic phlebology as the Chair of the WUIP Education Committee. Her energy and wisdom were essential to its success. She will be deeply missed by the WUIP and its member societies, all her colleagues around the world, her patients and her family. I will miss her as a mentor, a colleague, a leader and a friend. She was an icon for the Canadian Society of Phlebology. Repose en paix belle âme,

On behalf of the members of the Educational Committee of the WUIP, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the global community of Phlebology following the profound loss of our esteemed chair and a true icon in the field. Her unique dedication, visionary leadership, and remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on our profession. As a mentor, she inspired many with her passion for education and commitment to advancing the science of Phlebology. In this time of mourning, we honor her memory and the legacy she leaves behind. We are united in our grief and in our appreciation for the impact she had on all of us. With deepest sympathy,

Dear Pauline, Your passion and dedication to the field of phlebology inspired many around the world. Your legacy will be remembered. Farewell, my friend!

It was with much sadness that I learned about Pauline’s passing, but it provided the opportunity to reminisce upon the many good memories of times spent with her over the last 36 years. With infectious enthusiasm for all things phlebological and her keen sense of humor, our encounters all over the world were so very enjoyable.

As others have described, Pauline was indeed an exemplary teacher, instructor, colleague and coworker. Above all though, to me, she was a great friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to Louis, her daughters and grandchildren for the loss of this amazing woman. Pauline, que tu reposes en paix mon ami.

It was a truly honor to share with Pauline. An example for every woman in our field. She inspired us to compromise in the education committee and gave our part to the new generations. I will remember her and try to keep her legacy alive.

Pauline's departure has shocked me.... I have known her for 35 years. Every time I met Pauline at congresses and meetings, I saw the same flame, the same energy, the same determination and the same enthusiasm. She was driven by a deep desire to advance phlebology worldwide, but she was also a unifier. Direct, cheerful, with Pauline we had a clear idea. There was no room for half measures. She was ambitious. She was persuasive and convinced. I had the wrong impression that Pauline was “eternal” For me, Pauline was “there”. She was there to lead, she was there to listen, she was there to comment and give her expert opinion, she was there to organize. I took it for granted that she would “always” be there..... But Pauline was also deeply human, which confronted her with her finitude, as it did all of us. And it caught up with her... Today, I say Mission Accomplished Pauline. Rest in peace. We will never forget you.

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we learned of Dr. Martimbeau’s passing at the beginning of this November. The world of phlebology has lost an icon, a pillar. She leaves behind her family, her friends, her loyal and grateful patients, her colleagues, and an entire community that she helped build with love and dedication. Her extraordinary strength, unwavering determination, and boundless passion touched everyone around her. Not only did she contribute remarkably to the development of phlebology worldwide, but she also played a pivotal role in advancing women in medicine.

Here in Quebec, more than thirty of us - doctors from various medical fields studying the art of phlebology - had the privilege of learning from her, and benefiting from her knowledge in recent years. For many of us, she was more than a mentor; she was our role model. A passionate and determined woman who always pushed us to be our best. With her strong character, her creativity, her unparalleled sense of humor, and her enormous heart, she was always there for us, offering advice day or night, weekday or weekend. She was present in every event, involved in every moment. She was the guiding light, the beacon that showed us the way forward. Although this beacon may have gone out, her light will forever remain in our hearts, and we will carry her with us. With the knowledge she has passed down to us, we will continue to engage in the field of phlebology and commit to improving patient care, with the hope of honoring her and living up to the expectations she had of us. Rest in peace, dear Dr. Martimbeau

Although I no longer practice Phlebology in my practice, I had the very best education by attending Pauline’s courses in Houston for years. She was a great teacher and I am so grateful to have such a wonderful mentor who broke complexity into simplicity and thus, it all made sense. She was the very best and I am so proud of her and so honored and fortunate to have been her student.

Greeting, my name is Hunain Ahmed, and I had the distinct privilege of serving as Dr. Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau's graphic designer for over a year. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt condolences for your profound loss. On October 28th, Pauline reached out to inform me of her health condition, Even while confined to her bed due to illness, her unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for our upcoming course collaboration were nothing short of inspiring. I worked diligently on the project and submitted it to her, eagerly awaiting her feedback. However, this time was different; she hadn’t responded for several days, which heightened my concern. Given the context of her health condition, I reached out repeatedly, hoping to hear from her. Each unanswered message deepened my apprehension, It was a painful moment of uncertainty, and little did I know that would I have the chance to connect with her again? Then, in a moment that shattered my world, I turned to the internet out of curiosity and was hit with this devastating news — something I never saw coming, reading the news of Dr Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau passing was a gut-wrenching moment that left me in a state of sorrow. I felt an overwhelming wave of sadness wash over me, as memories of our collaborations flooded my mind. Each project we worked on together was not just a task; it was a shared journey filled with creativity, and mutual respect. The thought of never hearing their insightful feedback or sharing another light-hearted conversation felt like a heavy weight on my heart. Even in her final days, she radiated an extraordinary commitment to our work, her thoughts consumed by the upcoming course we were set to embark on together. It was a powerful testament to her passion and unwavering dedication, a striking reflection of her indomitable spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges. The knowledge that she was still envisioning our future projects, even as she battled her own mortality, is both profoundly inspiring and heart-wrenching. Her determination to forge ahead, to create and contribute, serves as a poignant reminder of the strength we can draw from our passions, even amidst life’s most daunting uncertainties. In those moments, she taught me that true resilience lies not just in enduring hardship, but in the relentless pursuit of purpose and connection. Her legacy will forever echo in my heart, profoundly shaping my understanding of collaboration and the incredible power of the human spirit to rise above adversity. I’ve been reflecting on our past projects and the incredible dedication Dr Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau showed, even during her toughest moments. It’s a reminder of the passion we all share for our work and the impact we can create together. As we look ahead to future projects, I would love to connect and discuss how we can continue her vision and carry on the momentum we built. Your insights and collaboration would mean a lot to me, and I believe we can achieve something truly special together.

Ma chère Dr Pauline Martimbeau, Ton énergie, ton amour pour ta clinique ici et aux États-Unis, ainsi que ta présence régulière à l’aéroport, ont marqué nos vies toutes ces années. Tu as commencé à voyager bien avant que nous soyons embauchées par American Airlines, et depuis 30 ans, nous avons eu la chance de te voir et de partager ces moments où tu prenais l’avion pour aller donner des conférences. Tu vas profondément nous manquer. Montréal ne sera plus la même sans te croiser, et ton absence laissera un grand vide. Nous imaginons déjà ton sourire veillant du haut des cieux, regardant passer les avions. Chaque Noël, tu as pensé à nous, et nous ne l’oublierons jamais. Avec tout notre amour My dear Dr Pauline Martimbeau, Your energy, your love for your clinic here and in the United States, as well as your regular prescence at the airport, have marked our lives all these years. You started travelling long before we were hired by American Airlines, and for 30 years, we have had the chance to see you and share these moments when you took the plane to conferences. We will miss you dearly. Montreal will no longer be the same without seeing you, and your absence will leave a great void. We can already imagine your smile watching the planes go by. Every Christmas, you thought of us, and we will never forget it. With all our love,

I am saddened to find out she passed away. She was a wonderful doctor and a sweet and great lady. She will be greatly missed

My dearest Pauline, Sharing with you so many moments of joy, of science and of friendship, fills me with immense pride and gratitude. You have left us far too soon, and in your absence we feel orphaned of your strength, your wisdom, and your friendship. But... You know what? No one ever truly dies if they are remembered — and I'll call upon your memory often. I'm certain that many of your friends and colleagues at the EC will do the same, keeping your spirit alive among us. See you soon ;)