Sheila Martin
1927-2019
Sheila Beverley (Graham) Martin
was born in Scarborough, ON, on 11 Oct 1927 and died with peaceful
dignity in Fredericton, NB, on 6 April 2019. She grew up on the Bluffs
with two older siblings, guided by the gentle wisdom of her mother and
keen mind of her father. She learned to gracefully navigate the
cliffs, smoke punkwood on the beach, swim in Lake Ontario, nurse a
feisty dog back from distemper and, with him, hone her social skills
by mooching treats from neighbours. At age four, she entertained local
farmhands by singing on a soapbox. She was a natural at domestic arts,
but ballet classes and horseback riding made her heart
sing.
She married Bill Martin in 1950 and became a wife and mother
of immense affection and insight. They remained smitten with one other
for the next 62 years until his death in 2012.
Sheila was gifted with an innate sense of optimism and
humanity coupled with whimsical humour. “I sat down once to write
my memoirs,” she said, “but then the telephone rang.”
While reviewing an art history catalogue, she reached the chapter on
Cubism and slammed the book shut, announcing “that is where the
rot set in!”
She read voraciously, discussed ideas rationally, wielded a
tennis racket well and studied Russian for its poetry. She also played
music beautifully: her daughters still recall her elegant fingers
cascading over piano keys in sunlight as she interpreted Scarlatti and
Bach.
Sheila inspired others with her passionate love of nature and
determination to “see the world through other’s eyes.” Given
her compassion, fervent sense of justice and incisive intelligence,
and had she been from a younger generation, she likely would have
practised law. As it was, her powerful (and successful) citizen
presentations before the National Energy Board spurred one government
lawyer to ask “which law firm she worked
with.”
Sheila was predeceased by her sister Wendy (Graham) Innis and
deeply loved by all who knew her well. She lives on in her daughters
Gwen Martin (Victor Hendricken), Jenny Hughes (Rob); grandchildren
Anne Hughes (Paul Clifford), Lucy Franey (Mark), Daven Hughes;
great-grandchildren Gavin and Nicola Clifford, Juno and Azura Franey;
brother Peter Graham; ‘adopted’ son Vidas Stukas; and
‘adopted’ daughters Wendy Dudley, Madonna Funnell
and – especially – Emma Keats, whose extraordinary
affection and commitment enabled Sheila to remain at home until the
end.
Everlasting thanks to Irena Petrovic, Rose MacLean, Mary
Cherrington, Evelyn Richards, Gerry Bance, and George and Annette
Strunz for their steadfast support. Huge thanks to nurses Julie and
Jayne (among others) of the Extra-Mural Program for their kind
expertise. There will be no funeral, but for those who wish,
remembrances may be made to Hospice Fredericton or Fredericton
SPCA.
www.mcadamsfh.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sheila Martin 19272019..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick