ANNE MARTENS

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ANNE MARTENS July 24, 1922 - February 7, 2005 It is with great sadness that we announce Anne's leaving this earth to enter her heavenly home at the age of 82. Predeceased by siblings, Sue, Nick, Trudy, Jack and Peter. She will be lovingly remembered by Victor, her faithful husband of 62 years; children, Elaine (Jose), Raymond (Eleanor) and Victor (Jacquie) and eleven grandchildren, as well as the extended Reimer and Toews families. Anne was born in the Kuban, Russia, and came to Canada as a small child, her parents fleeing poverty and political turmoil. Growing up in Winnipeg's North End, Anne helped make ends meet by working as a ladies' maid and at the Hudson's Bay Fur Trade. In later years she worked as an art seller at Eaton's and in the U of W library. Most of her adult life was devoted to providing a loving, nurturing home for her family. A romantic, artist and lover of beauty in all its forms, Anne's creative flair shone through everything she did, whether decorating a room or hosting a dinner. Letters still arrive from colleagues in the international grain industry who enjoyed Anne's warm hospitality. Anne pushed the boundaries of her domestic world to include the things she cherished and dreamed about: art, books and travel. Always searching for ways to express herself, she poured herself into the paintings, poems and stories that comprise her rich legacy. Her longing to see the world resulted in three solo trips to Europe and many globe trotting adventures with her husband. Anne's insatiable appetite for learning took her to university in her 40's and to computer classes in her 70's. Anne bequeathed on everyone she knew her special sense of wonder. With her artist's eyes, she could capture the colours in the clouds, the dewdrops in the grass. Wanting her grandchildren to inherit this gift, she gave them art lessons, encouraged them to write and took them on trips to widen their view. Quite simply, they adored her. Any description of Anne cannot contain the exuberance of her personality and the many ways she touched the lives of those who knew her. Her joy was infectious, embracing all within its reach. Her love for people brought her easy friendships among young and old, rich and poor. All her life she drew from the deep wells of wisdom she found in the Scriptures. They assured her she was indeed a child of the King . They gave her the peace, the passion and the positive spirit that kept her going to the end. We will forever miss and celebrate the bright light she was among us. A celebration of Anne's life will be held on Friday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, 145 Henderson Highway. A viewing will take place prior to the service. Interment at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. If friends wish, donations may be made to MCC (available at the church). Friends of the Family in charge of arrangements. (Ph: 222-8080).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2005