May 27, 1929 - April 2, 2019
Devoted wife, loving mom, enthusiastic grandma, kind sister and friend, Martha, died peacefully April 2nd at Valleyhaven Retirement Community. With gratitude, we celebrate a life so richly lived and shared, especially with those who loved her best: her husband Al (1928-2017), her kids Jim married to Lois, Alyson married to Randy Cockrill, her 5 grandchildren, Graham (Trisha), Meghan (David), Jeremy (Meagan), Micah (Susie), and Josiah (Rachael), and her 5 great-grandchildren, Jake, Justin, Caleb, Emma, and Bronwyn. She also leaves behind 3 siblings, Harry Voth, Betty Nachtigal, and Carol Rempel. Martha's story began in Mayfair, Saskatchewan. She was part of a loving, hardworking, Mennonite immigrant family, the 5th of 8 siblings. After graduating from Rosthern Junior College, she joined her family in Chilliwack, B.C. where she met and married Al, the farm boy from Alberta. Al kept her busy with a myriad of business ventures and family projects. They made a great team. She also found meaning in supporting and encouraging women in life and faith, providing leadership in a number of women's organizations and in her local church.
Martha loved generously and selflessly, not just her own family, but anyone she met or spent time with. She was a wonderful listener. And, there was always room for one more at the table. Sadly, dementia led to a final 15-year journey marked by relative obscurity. As heart-breaking as the many incremental losses were, we never lost the gracious, Jesus-loving woman whose grateful heart continued to teach us many things, no words needed, right to the very end. Her to-do list now complete, her feet are dancing again, and she is laughing her laugh... Home at last!!
A celebration of Martha's life will be held at Eden Mennonite Church, Friday, April 26th, at 1:30 p.m. Instead of flowers or donations, invite someone new to your table, feed them generously and listen heartfully. Martha would tell you to be ready for a surprise; there's always more going on beyond what you can see.