Martha Andres was born in Melville, Saskatchewan to Mary Elizabeth (Kilbach) and Henry Andres. She was the fifth child in a family of two brothers (Louis and Alfred) and four sisters (Ida, Eleanor, and Jean). Martha was baptized in Saskatchewan and later affirmed her baptismal covenant with Confirmation. The spring following Martha’s father’s death in 1943, Mary, Martha, and Jean moved to Vancouver.
Martha worked for eight years as a bookkeeper in the accounts receivable department of BC Electric. She married Edgar Schnider on May 20, 1949, and later became a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. In July of 1953 their daughter Jayne was born, and in March of 1955 they had their second child, son Steven.
Martha and Ed were both active church members at the new Killarney Lutheran Church built in their Fraserview community. They enjoyed Christian fellowship and contributed to the ministry of that congregation while raising their family, and through to Ed’s retirement. Martha was very active in the choir, Sunday School, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and spent many years as a volunteer in the Meals-on-Wheels program in Vancouver.
After Ed’s retirement in 1986, Martha and Ed moved to Chelsea Gate in Surrey and joined St. Luke Church. They made important new friends in their new home and enjoyed “the best years of their lives” relishing the retirement lifestyle and holiday travel with family and friends.
In 2003, Martha was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 54 years. Martha moved from Chelsea Gate into the Imperial Place retirement residence in 2013, where she made other important friends, enjoyed the sunshine and growing plants on her sunny, south-facing balcony and continued to support the community and the Surrey Women’s Centre through participation with the Cro-Knits.
Martha passed peacefully at her apartment due to congestive heart failure, while sitting on a favourite balcony chair in front of her flowers. Martha is survived by her daughter Jayne (Robert) Thompson; her son Steven (Karen) Schnider; and grandchildren Jan and Fiona Schnider, all residing in metro Vancouver. She was pre-deceased by her parents and siblings.
Martha was much loved by her extended family and friends and respected by all. She was very giving, and devoted to her husband, family, church, and community. Martha had an extremely strong faith and was very generous with her time and energy. She will be greatly missed.
A memorial service celebrating Martha’s life will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church (10167 148 Street, Surrey) on September 15th at 1:30 pm. If friends so desire, memorial donations to St. Luke Lutheran Church would be appreciated by the family.
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