It is with great sadness and heartfelt loss that we announce the passing of Joan Ruth Martin on March 25, 2021 with family by her side.
Mom was a courageous warrior battling cancer for the last 10 months with Mark, Marlese, Mary Ellen and Linda by her side. We feel so fortunate that she was able to spend the last 4 months with Dad at Columbia View Lodge and all of the caring staff. She will be forever missed by her loving family including her husband Don, son Mark (Mary-Ellen), daughter Marlese (Kevin) grandchildren; Andrew (Ashley), Kayla, Kassandra and Alixandria as well as great-grandchildren Aaliyah and Rylan, sisters-in-law Nancy and Elaine, brother-in-law Dick and all of her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her son David, her brothers-in-law Bruce and Allen, her sister-in-law Karen and her nephew Jeff.
Mom was born on April 19, 1939 in Trail, BC. She lived in Nelson as a child and moved back to Trail as a teen. When she was 16, she met Don and they got married on December 2, 1955. They lived in Trail in her mother’s apartments that she inherited and then they purchased a home in Rossland. They started a family in November 1956 when David was born. Mark came along in March 1961 and then they had their daughter Marlese in 1968.
Mom had a dog grooming business in their basement called the Final Touch Grooming Salon. Her love of animals was demonstrated in the time, compassion and love she gave to each and every dog. Mom acquired her amazing talent in the floral industry from helping her grandfather, who lived next to the Nelson Cemetery, and made bouquets from his garden for grieving families. She opened her own flower shop in Rossland called the Flower Basket and eventually sold and set up a flower department for Ferraro Foods in Trail where she worked until she retired.
Throughout mom and dad’s 66 years together, they enjoyed camping at Christina Lake, golfing and being snowbirds for 15 years. Mom would spend hours planning and booking their trips down south. She loved to plan and organize. They had a campground membership with 1000 Trails and their home park was at Riverside Adventure Trails Resort in Bullhead City. Everyone in the park knew mom as she planned and organized all the events at the recreational hall. They would spent 2 weeks in and 1 week out at different resorts. They would go to Lake Havasu, Loughlin, Fort Mojave, Yuma, Death Valley, Palm Springs and the California coast. Mom loved exploring castles and her favorites were Hurst and Scotty’s Castle. Throughout their travels she always made dad stop at all of the historic sites. One of their weekly traditions was to go for 75 cent tacos. She also loved going to the casinos and shopping.
Mom was an amazing cook (which she passed onto Mark and Marlese), she was the “Hostess with the Mostest” and hosted hundreds of dinners. As a young girl her mother had 15 boarders at a time and mom would make all their lunches. Moms’ door was always open for anyone who wanted a coffee or a bite to eat. There were always extra seats at the table for anyone who didn’t have a place to go for dinner. She was so kind and always made everyone feel welcome. Mom had the biggest Heart of Gold. There are simply not enough words to express or capture what she meant to us and how many people’s lives she impacted. She had a way of comforting others. She always modelled love, determination and wisdom. Her only regret was that she never got to travel to England.
Mom had an incredible sense of humour and absolutely loved playing practical jokes on her friends (mainly RCMP members). Her humour and the shenanigans she got involved in were infectious and fabulous. She always had a smile on her face and had an amazing laugh. Everyone had fun when they were around her.
Mom was extremely talented and had many passions. Throughout the years she crocheted, sewed, painted pictures, made candles, decorated wedding cakes, made cards, Christmas crafts/decorations, beaded, got into photography, did macrame, needle point, and quilted. She made all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a special quilt and blanket. You name it she did it. The last few years her passion was painting rocks. She would spend hours on end moulding the rock to her liking and painting it. They were always out on her deck for sale by the honour system and if someone didn’t have money and absolutely love one she would give it to them. People from all over the world purchase her life-like rocks.
Just like down south, Mom was always busy planning functions and recreational activities like fishing derbies, pancake breakfasts, holiday dinners and craft sessions at Woodbury Resort. She was a permanent fixture at the resort and volunteered hours and hours. We are sure she will be greatly missed for all she did.
She was absolutely the most amazing person with the biggest heart who would do anything for anyone. Our hearts break that she is no longer with us.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Woodbury Resort on Kootenay Lake once Covid restrictions are lifted. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in mom’s name to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation (Columbia View Lodge) at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joan Ruth Martin March 25th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique