Cecile spent her early years in Hospital due to severe burns that she sustained when she was two. Cecile was always thankful for the work of the Red Cross, as they provided her with education, taught her how to swim, but more so for the loving care that they provided her.
Cecile became the wife of the late Jules Martel on Dec 23, 1944.
She then became the loving mother to 13 children. Cecile was blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Cecile was a mother to many outside of her immediate family. She fostered and babysat for several years. She welcomed anyone into her home, adding another
potato in the pot to give them a hot supper. Her life as a whole was to give to anyone who needed her. This included knitting all day to provide warm mitts to the school children next door or covering the heads of Newborn Babies at the nearby hospital.
Cecile was unmatched for her strength. She had no problems swinging an axe to chop wood, pounding posts, and fixing what needed to be fixed. She farmed and gardened to sustain her family, giving her children the best that she could provide.
Cecile later in years went on a Spiritual Journey. Cecile, already understanding her fathers Scottish background, enlisted two of her children to search her genealogical line as she always knew she carried native blood in her heart. This stemmed from stories and memories of Medicine Healers coming secretly to their families back door. The fear was shared by all knowing that this needed to stay a family secret. Cecile's heart was truthful. She was a descendent of the first Metis Woman, Euphrasie-Madeleine Nicolet. She was the daughter of the explorer Jean Nicolet and the Nipissing woman Jeanne Gisis-Bahmahdjimiwin. This made Cecile very proud to have this acknowledged. Today we continue her Metis Legacy.
As Cecile aged, she made the decision not to burden her children, and asked to spend her last years at the Westview Health Centre Continuing Care. There she became Mom and Gran to many once again. She enjoyed her time there. Then the time came for her journey home.
She was very clear in her weakness to announce this departure, and in the days
following, in the early afternoon, Cecile was greeted peacefully on the Other Side by warm, welcoming hands. We knew she had arrived to her home as her eyes filled with tears of relief and joy.
Cecile’s legacy will live on and she will be missed by many. Remember, Cecile gave you laughter and love and will be there to hold us in tough times until we meet with her once again.
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