SARAH MARTIN (DEITCH)

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SARAH MARTIN
(DEITCH)
December 13, 1922 - February 8, 2022

Peacefully, with family nearby, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Predeceased by her husband Gabriel Martin, sisters, Faye, Sybil and Clara. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Martin, Marilyn Silver and Judith Doctoroff, grandchildren, Reuben (Carolyn), Jason (Lauren), Michael (Tickey), and Katrina Segelbaum; Ari (Kristine), Ilan (Tamelynn), and Tamar Silver. Also great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Bella, Maxine, Max, Hannah Segelbaum and Gabriel Silver.
Mom was born in Bucharest, Romania, and landed in Canada in March of 1923 with her parents, Reuven and Chana. They travelled on the ship Minnedosa, dreaming of a better life for themselves and their children. Mom was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, where she enjoyed membership in an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our grandmother owned and operated a small dry goods store, and our grandfather worked in the scrap metal business and as a peddler. Mom would often say how hard our grandmother worked in the store, and how much our grandfather loved music and especially dancing. Mom obviously inherited this trait from him, because she was also well-known for her affinity for music, being able to pick out a tune on the piano, without any sheet music to go by. She too loved to sing and dance, and had a beautiful voice to go with her beautiful dance moves.
Although she did not consider herself a good student, mom had an innate understanding of people and often had excellent insights about what made people tick. When she met our dad while on vacation in Winnipeg, their fate was sealed when he asked if she would marry him if he came to Edmonton. She thought he was teasing and agreed. Six weeks later, he appeared on her doorstep. When she asked him if he could dance, he told her all she had to do was lead and he would follow. They were married November 10, 1947 and spent 57 amazing years together. Their daughters were born in Edmonton, and then the family moved to Winnipeg in 1959, where they spent the rest of their lives together. Although she always referred to herself as an Edmontonian, she came to enjoy life in Winnipeg, walking in Kildonan Park, rain or shine, warm or cold, with her beloved Spaniel, Copper, swimming laps daily at #1 Evergreen Place, and enjoying the restaurants and shopping on Osborne Street and The Forks.
There were trips, first to Florida and then to Palm Springs in the winter, where they enjoyed the warmth and sunshine and lazy days spent by the pool. Mom always maintained that she had only one ambition in life: to be a wife and mother. But at home, and out with family and friends, she was a star. The camera loved her and she returned the favour. She was a storyteller, a raconteur par excellence. Returning from a movie, she would reenact for her children plots and characters so accurately, her husband would stop and marvel at her performance. If his eyebrow sometimes rose as she exaggerated, just a little, it was only in admiration. A natural optimist, always curious, sometimes dramatic, open, careful and caring, self-deprecating her own intelligence, somewhat vain, and, when least expected, so wise. She made a big difference in small ways.
Although Mom was an introvert, she was also very friendly, and people were naturally drawn to her. She was resilient and persevered whenever a challenge presented itself. As she aged, she said that ageing was the greatest challenge she had ever faced, but she also did that with as much good humour as possible.
We are indebted to the wonderful staff on Weinberg 1 and Weinberg 3 at the Simkin Centre. You cared for our mom and made her quality of life that much better in the five years she was with you. If you wish to donate in Sarah's memory, please consider the Simkin Centre.

We will miss her terribly, our mom,
Sarah with an "h".
"Who sings in this world,
will also sing in the next"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2022