Margaret Ada (Bell) Martin

MARGARET ADA MARTIN (nee BELL)

1928 – 2015

Margaret Martin of Swan River, MB passed away in Brandon, Manitoba on September 22nd, 2015 at the age of 86 years.

Margaret was born in Ethelbert, MB on October 13th, 1928 to William and Rebecca (Hayes) Bell, the third youngest of nine children.  She was raised in the Deerpath District and attended the Deerpath School until Grade 8 and then finished her education by correspondence.

She met her future husband Gordon Martin while working for her sister Violet Hunter in the Floradale District. Gordon and Margaret were married on August 15, 1947 in the Anglican Church at the corner of 5th Ave N and 2nd Street N in Swan River.  They lived in Winnipeg but moved to the Floradale District to start farming.  When Gordon required serious medical treatment, they moved to Swan River and lived there for 4 years before returning to the farm.

Margaret worked as a cook at the hospital, as a server at the Royal Canadian Legion Clubroom and as a cashier at Cox's Groceries.  

She knitted, crocheted, sewed and read but her love was baking.  She found her peace with the world working in her garden.  After Gordon passed away, Margaret moved to Swan River just up the street from where she was married.

She is survived by: her four children,  Dale (Lois) Martin of  Water Valley, AB, Judy (Normand) Poirier of  Morden, MB, Donald Martin of  Winnipeg, MB and S. Allen (Christine) Martin of  Minitonas, MB;

eight grandchildren,  Jesse (Diana) Martin of  Calgary, AB, Matthew (Stacey) Poirier of  Unity, SK,  Neil (Lisa Pruys) Martin of  Winnipeg, MB, Ian Martin of  Winnipeg MB, McKenzie Martin of  Stonewall, MB, Kyle Martin of Stonewall, MB, Shaun Martin of  Vancouver, BC, and Jaime (Landon Rice) Martin of Hamilton, ON; three great-grandsons, Nelson & Emmett Martin of  Winnipeg, MB and Leland Rice of Hamilton, ON. Margaret is also survived by one sister, Lillian Herda in Victoria, BC.

Margaret was predeceased by: her parents William and Rebecca Bell; her brothers Bill, Roy, Bert, Harold and Johnny; her sisters Elva and Violet; and her husband Gordon in 1997 just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Margaret was also predeceased by her grandson, Lucas Martin and her great-granddaughter, Leah Martin.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Birchwood Cemetery, Swan River, Manitoba. Paull Funeral Home Celebrant, Darlyn Hunt, officiated. Following the service a fellowship luncheon was held in the Rose Room at Heritage Memorial Gardens, Swan River, Manitoba.