MARTIN: The death of Beatrice "Bea" Martin (nee Shaw), widow of Bert Martin, dear mother of Angela (Gary) Brawn and George (Mary) Martin occurred in Brandon on Thursday, February 17, 2005. Friends may visit with the family at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. with the funeral ceremony to follow. Mr. Pat Stelmack will officiate. Interment will be in family plot in the Marney cemetery. Complete obituary information will follow. Expressions of Sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

MARTIN: Beatrice Alison "Bea" Martin passed away on Thursday February 17, 2005 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Bea, daughter of John and Alison Shaw, was born in 1926 on the family farm near Cardale, Manitoba. She attended elementary and high school in Cardale. As a young person she was very active in sports, drama and both school and church choirs. Her main love though was skating and she would often speak of the joy of gliding across the ice to "The Blue Danube Waltz". In 1946, she married Wilbert Alexander "Bert" Martin and together they farmed in the Strathclair district for thirteen years. It was here where her two children, Angela and George, were born. The absence of running water, electricity, telephone or roads for the first few years made raising a family especially challenging. Bea's many hobbies included sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting and gardening (especially her rose gardens). It was in Strathclair that she began her volunteer work with the UCW and the Legion Auxiliary, associations which she maintained in the various communities in which she lived. In 1959, the family moved to Swan River and life here was easier. Her interests led to golf, bridge, curling and more volunteer work. Of all the volunteer work in which Bea participated, it was her association as treasurer and chaperone for the Swan River Musical and Marching Band that was the most enjoyable and rewarding. A move to Saskatoon provided additional opportunities for Bea and she served on the board for the Grosvenor Park Church. It was at this time that she took up oil painting, which gave pleasure to both her and to those who received the gift of her work. Bea and Bert moved to Brandon after Bert's retirement where she lived until her passing. Bea was a stay-at home-mom, who devoted her life to caring for and nurturing her family. Her dedication to family was most evident to those around her during the period of time following Bert's stroke in 1987. Her resourcefulness and determined spirit enabled her to overcome the many challenges they faced daily until Bert's death in 2001. Despite these difficult times, life for Bea was full of talk, love and laughter. Her family was the prime focus in Bea's life and she took great joy in the milestones and accomplishments of each family member, especially those of her beloved grandchildren, Christopher, Juliana and Georgina. Bea was predeceased by her husband, Bert; and parents, John and Alison Shaw. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Angela (Gary) Brawn; son, George (Mary) Martin; grandchildren, Christopher Brawn, Juliana and Georgina Martin; brothers, Graeme (Mildred) Shaw and Ernie (Rosa) Shaw and their extended families; and many special friends. Friends may visit with the family at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Tuesday (today), February 22, 2005 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. with the funeral ceremony to follow. Mr. Pat Stelmack will officiate. Pallbearers will be Joy Wilson, Kay Haggerty, Harvey Shaw, Ross Shaw, Calvin Martin and Blaine Martin. Interment will be in family plot in the Marney Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of Bea to the Brandon Area Community Foundation, Box 22096, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6Y9. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. Memorials
Brandon Area Community Foundation