Sydney
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Anne Martell-Thomas, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after a long, fierce and courageous battle with cancer.
Mom was born in Sydney on August 20, 1936 to the late Archibald ‘Red Archie’ and Ethel (Bartlett) MacDonald.
Mom grew up in the north end of Sydney and attended Holy Angels High School and married the late Cyril (Sid) Martell in 1956. Mom and Dad raised eight children. Mom was the rock of our family – an incredibly loving, kind, funny, talented, resilient, and resourceful woman. Mom instilled in her children the importance of teamwork and everyone helping at home. She was an unbelievable baker and she never stopped learning and trying new recipes. Mom was very competitive and loved playing crib and tarbish with her family and friends. She was the self-proclaimed all-time crib champion in our house. She loved doing the cryptoquote every day and was always trying to beat her record of completing it under a minute. She loved watching all types of sports from golf to baseball to hockey.
Music was always a big part of her life. Mom sang in the choir for many years and loved to harmonize. Our home was full of laughter and singing from kitchen parties and card games. Mom had a quick wit and always found humor in things. After many years as a homemaker, Mom entered the workforce and began working for Sears Canada for over 24 years. She loved her job in the service department. Her husband Sid died in 1993. In 2002, Mom married Archie Thomas and they were married for 19 years. They cherished their time together. They loved visits with friends and family especially their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom battled her health issues over the years with incredible courage and grace. Our family witnessed a display of strength that we’ll never forget. She would say with each struggle she is “earning her wings”. Mom, you certainly earned your wings.
Besides her parents, Anne was predeceased by her first husband, Sid Martell; siblings, Winnifred MacDonald (Lloyd), and Jane Snow (Jack) and daughter-in-law, Shauna Martell.
She will be missed by many friends especially her lifelong friends, Joan Campbell and Marie Campbell. Mom is survived by her husband, Archie Thomas; siblings, Patsy McMullin (Roddie), John MacDonald (Anne), Sandy MacDonald (Helen); children, Terry Martell (late Shauna), Cathy Doull (Rick), Robert Martell (Krista), Mary Beth Martell, Gregory Martell (Margaret), Jennifer Morrison (Stephen), Brian Martell (Gina) and Stephen Martell; grandchildren, T.J. Martell (Melanie), Brendan Martell (Janell), Matthew Doull, Ryan Doull (Lucy), Tess Havreluck, Meredith Martell, Sarah Martell, David Martell, Riley Morrison, Gillian Morrison, Marissa Martell, and Nathan Martell; great-grandchildren, Liam Martell, Sophia Martell, Sidney Martell and Max Doull; stepchildren, Delores Henick (Mike), Henrietta MacNeil (Vince), Leona MacNeil (Bobby), Kevin Thomas (Lucy), and Greg Thomas; grandchildren, Michael Henick (Carly) , Ellen Henick-Mark (Stevee), Sarah Brannen (John), Patrick Henick, Daniel Henick, Andrew MacNeil (Lisa), Ashton MacNeil, Julia MacKenzie (Dave), Robert MacNeil, Jessie MacNeil, and Jordan Thomas and great-grandchildren, Eli and Mia Mark, Thomas Brannen, Isabella Wareham.
We would like to thank the palliative team and Rhonda McNeil, cancer patient advocate, who provided wonderful support for Mom in her time of need.
There will be no visitation for the late Anne Martell-Thomas. A small, “Family Only” Memorial Service will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Monday, July 26, 2021, with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Anne, may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society, Sydney or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“Mom, rest easy now in heaven – your incredible work is done.”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of MARTELL-THOMAS Anne 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
Anne was certainly a very special person.I learned many important,positive lessons in my life from her,as she was married to my brother Sid.I will always have a special place in my heart for her memory.Rest in Peace,Anne!!