Born in Minnedosa, Manitoba to John and Mary Naswell in 1918, weighing one pound. She was kept in a shoe box on the wood stove oven door to keep her warm but was not expected to live.
Martha married Walter Peterson of Minnedosa in 1938 and they farmed in Hilltop, Manitoba until 1970 when they moved to Courtenay, B.C.
Martha loved to get together with her brothers and sisters to play guitar and sing country gospel songs. Her passion was reading and studying the Bible. She loved giving out Bible tracts wherever she went. Martha was always a meticulous housekeeper and a stylish dresser.
Martha passed away January 26, 2018 at age 99 and was predeceased by her husband Walter and grandson Ken, brothers Johnny, Larry, and Frank, sisters Doreen and Thelma.
She is survived by her daughters Yvonne Johnson (Murray) and Deborah Hamber (Carsen) and son Phillip Peterson (Kathy), also 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.
