ANNABELLE MARTENS

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ANNABELLE MARTENS This is Annabelle, our beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend. After a brief battle with cancer, Annabelle left us on February 23, 2018, her benediction the words of the old hymn she softly sang, "All the way my Saviour leads me, What have I to ask beside..." She was 84 years old. Annabelle is predeceased by Menno, her husband of 57 years, and is mourned by her three children, spouses and families: Reynold (Ingrid) Martens and their children Nelson Martens (Maria Dasilva) and Reid; Lionel (Jane) Martens and their children Christie (Evan) Peters and Lindsay Martens (Matt Moore); and Janet (Norman) Woltmann and their children Laura (Jeff) Mathew, Kate (Nathan) Regier and Nathan, and great-grandchildren James, Maya, Ellis, Adeline and Levi. How do you best describe Annabelle? Kind, compassionate, generous, considerate, selfless, humble, serene, loving, loveable and fun. She was always dressed fashionably with everything matching and her hair just right. Annabelle was our royalty and yet she wasn't about status or titles. She loved playing the supporting role and did so effortlessly. She was the teacher's aide, the volunteer at the local thrift store and above all, the selfless support for Menno throughout his academic career and many volunteer activities. Annabelle was always ready for that next trip to the farm, holiday excursion or countless trips to Winnipeg to visit her kids. She was also courageous and adaptable. When her husband Menno passed away several years ago, she left her dear friends in Swift Current and moved to Winnipeg where her children resided. She ventured out in her car on her charted routes to see family, attend church, ran errands or just had a coffee. Her stated goal to the end was to be a blessing to her family and she surely was. Her children and grandchildren loved to take her out for a bite or a coffee. She never said no to time out with her family or to picking up the tab. She also never missed an anniversary or birthday card which she generously stuffed with a crisp new bill or two. Annabelle laughed easily, loved life and faithfully recorded even the mundane events of the day in her diary. She chose to follow after Jesus early in life and finished well as His good and faithful friend. Being there for others, especially for her family, was Annabelle's greatest achievement. We love you and will miss you greatly. Thanks to the caregivers at River Ridge and Seven Oaks Hospital, and a special thanks to Alvina, Annabelle's sister and bedside angel during her final days. Annabelle will be remembered at a private family gathering in Winnipeg. A memorial service in Swift Current will be scheduled for the spring. "...This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2018