Obituary of Gwendolyn (Wendy) MARTIN (nee Cotterill)

February 11, 1930 – Harrow, England
August 3, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Gwendolyn (Wendy) Martin passed away at the age of 90 on Monday, August 3, 2020 listening to “Morning Has Broken” as a glorious sun rose. She lived her last few months at Age Care Midnapore in Calgary, Alberta.

Wendy was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Wendy was born in Harrow, UK, in 1930. Along with her husband Bob (Robert), she lived an incredible life around the world, calling home to numerous places: Birmingham, UK, then immigrating in 1957 to Montreal, QC, where she lived many years. Together Wendy and Bob lived in Toronto, Chicago, New York, and Denver before retiring to White Rock, BC, Fountain Hills, AZ, Chandler, AZ, and lately Calgary. Wendy made friends wherever she was. She was a woman of adventure and volunteerism who was quick to kindness and to support others. Wendy loved to cook, quilt, golf, visit, read and write. 

Her prolific writing took the form of personal letters, cards, stories, and poetry. Most recently, as a resident at Garrison Green United Active Living in Calgary, she participated in the poetry group, partnered with Mount Royal University. Wendy found poetry writing an important and meaningful outlet to allow expression of her deepest feelings and thoughts. This year Wendy completed her last project; compiling a collection of her poems to share with others.

Wendy had an affinity for turtles representing luck, wisdom, persistence, endurance, strength, longevity, and hope. Her fondness of turtles was evident in her stories, collections, and throughout her poetry.

She is well loved, and her resilient generous spirit will be missed by her family and all those friends and acquaintances who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her children, Robert (Brenda), Anne, and Felicity (Chris); her grandchildren, James (Pascal), Peter (Kathy), Margo (Madison), Carson (Gina), Jessica, and Brenna; and her great-grandchildren Lennon, Moira-Rose, and Yoshi.

EYES OF THE HEART

(Wendy Martin, 2015)

As you travel along life’s highway
look back over your shoulder.
Look back, look back,
Illuminate the paths taken
with the eyes of your heart.

So many choices made, so many blessings
like the curves in a river
as it flows to the ocean.
These curves in the bank
have directed your journey.
We flow through the deep
pools of peace
and tumble joyfully over the waterfalls.
Wreak on the boulders of sorrow.
Then,
Break away to carry on with life
to once again flow forward
around the curves to reclaim
life’s journey.
Savour the memories seen through
the eyes of your heart.
Then,
look forward
to anticipate
the journey yet to come.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Girl Guides of Canada, 50 Merton St Toronto, ON, M4S 1A3, https://www.girlguides.ca/web/GGC/. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Wendy’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Wendy Martin, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.