Obituary of Annie Martin

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Annie Martin, passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, June 9, 2019 (one month before her 100^th birthday). 

Annie was born on July 11, 1919 and was the last surviving member of her birth family, predeceased by her parents John W. and Leah (Snyder) Martin, 13 siblings (three who died in infancy) Salinda, Ephraim, Lovina, Elam, Ina, Nelson, Joseph, Amos, Leah, David, John, Simeon, and Allen, her parents-in-law Isaac and Nancy Martin and Susanna Martin, brothers-in-law Jacob (Marjorie) Martin and David (Donna) Martin, and many extended family members.

Beloved wife of the late Henry A. Martin who predeceased her on September 11, 1990.  Loved mother of Loretta and the late Murray Snider, Doris and Gordon Reier, Pauline and the late Gary Gingrich.  Cherished grandma of Ryan and Liza Snider, Kara and Kent Bergstrom, Julia Gingrich and Rebecca Plett, Kristen Gingrich Berg and Bryan Berg.  Special great-grandma of Savannah and Nile Snider, Brooke and Luke Bergstrom, Oliver and Miriam Berg.  Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews who brought great joy to her life.

Annie began working for Norris Bakery at the Old Kitchener Market and also St. Mary’s High School.  When Forest Heights Collegiate opened in 1964, she greatly enjoyed planning and equipping the new cafeteria kitchen and then managing it and cooking for students and staff until 1977 when she retired.  Cooking was always a pleasure for her and she prepared many delicious meals for family gatherings, church groups, and summer camp groups.  She also expressed her creativity through dressmaking, porcelain dolls, quilting, watercolour art, and china painting.  Throughout the years, she wrote many anecdotes and stories of her early years, which were then compiled by her granddaughter Julia Gingrich in a memoir called “Stories from the Farm”.  Annie was a dedicated and active member of Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church in Kitchener.  Her participation and leadership in many areas of church life was a demonstration of her strong faith.  Annie’s emotional and physical strength, courage and unconditional love for her family lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  A graveside committal service will be held at First Mennonite Church Cemetery, 800 King St. E., Kitchener on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.  Following the committal service, Annie’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home from 2:30 p.m. until time of the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marilyn Rushton officiating.  A reception will immediately follow the service in the funeral home’s Fireside Room.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church, Mennonite Central Committee or House of Friendship may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.