Frances Evelyn Martin

Fran was born February 4, 1922, died January 31, 2015, at the QEII Hospital in Halifax following a stroke, a few days from her 93rd birthday. Fortunately, all five of her children, and several other family members, could be with her. She was born in Oshawa, Ontario, to Grace (Longfield) and Leonard Greer. In 1941 she married J. Reid Martin of Montreal, and they enjoyed 57 happy years together. They had 6 children: Nancy (Fred Chipman) of Wolfville; James “Jim” of Bathurst and Sackville NB; Linda (Hubert Jacquin) of Enfield; Deborah “Debbie/Deb”, (1952-1994); Peter (Colleen Cameron-Martin) of Sydney; Liane (Sandy MacMullin) of Halifax.

Fran is survived by 14 grandchildren: Hugh Chipman (Tania), Tim Chipman (Suzanne Zinck); Temina (Matt Legere), Bryan Martin (Lanna Campbell); Heidi Fennell Pike (Todd Pike), Robyn Fennell (Philip Downs); Jennifer Martin; Ben Blakeburn (Megan Ladelpha), Aimee (Jonathan) Clemis, Jodi Martin and Andrew Blakeburn Martin (Tamara Budgell); Krystenne MacMullin (Lynden Giles), Heather MacMullin, Gregory MacMullin. Fran’s step-grandchildren are: Marc (Meghan) Hull-Jacquin, Kristine (Arvin) Kovacevic; Brandy Martin and Kyle (Melanie Green) Martin. Fran is survived also by 19 great-grandchildren: Max and Jack Chipman, Rebecca Chipman; Keiara and Eaden Legere; Dylan and Evan Downs; Maeve and Nora Clemis; Hudson Ladelpha-Blakeburn, Alyssa Blakeburn, Isabella and Addison Budgell-Blakeburn; Braedon Spires; Damien Munroe Martin; Dezmend and Lina Kovacevic; Cybil and Xavier Hull-Jacquin.

Fran worked at Eaton’s in Toronto before she and Reid moved to Montreal, where she lived with his family while he was overseas during WWII. In 1947 they and their first two children moved to Sydney N.S. and then to Coxheath, home for most of their married life. Fran and Reid, who had always wanted a large family, had four more children between 1949 and 1958. Fran took bookkeeping courses before working with her husband after he started Martin Equipment Ltd (1965-1987). In 1998, Reid died, and a few years later, Fran moved to Halifax, to be closer to most of her family. She lived first by herself in an apartment, then moved to assisted living for women at Victoria Hall, Halifax, later to White Hills Long Term Care in Hammonds Plains, as her eyesight and abilities declined.

Fran would wish us to give a special thanks to Dr. Arif Samad, whose care for her Age-Related Macular Degeneration over 14 years, saved a portion of her vision, allowing her a greater measure of independence. The family also thank the staff at Victoria Hall and White Hills for their thoughtful care during Fran’s time with them, and the QEII Hospital for providing the privacy of a palliative room during Fran’s last days.

Throughout her life, Fran was active in the community. She was a member of the Anglican Church Women’s Auxiliary and volunteered with the Red Cross Corps in Sydney.

Long a fan of expert cook Madame Benoit, and the writer and bio-chemist Adelle Davis (“Let’s Have Healthy Children”), her family recall her good cooking, and her emphasis on healthy eating, (which included finishing the vegetables on your plate). Fran had a great belief in the health benefits of brewer’s yeast in her morning orange juice, even if few mustered the courage to taste that wonder-potion.

Fran, whose mother died when she was five, always valued family very highly. She is remembered for her progressive attitude toward combining family with work outside the home, her belief in commitment and hard work, her positive and practical outlook, her thoughtfulness of others, interest in everyone, ability to remember birthdays, and for being well-organized. A daughter-in-law recalls that “She made me feel special, and part of the family. She loved her flock. ” Most certainly, she was well loved in return.

The funeral service for Fran Martin, a resident of Coxheath for 52 years, will be held on Saturday June 6th at 2 pm, at the Anglican Church of Christ the King, on the corner of George and Trinity, in Sydney. Donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, or the charity of your choice.