Irene Erna (Latta) Martin

March 22, 1937 – April 10, 2021 

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother Irene Erna Martin aged 84 yrs. on April 10, 2021

Mom was born on March 22, 1937 in Whitemouth Mb. apparently she was small enough to fit inside a shoebox, but grew up to make a huge impact on all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her parents Sidney and Alma Latta, her husband Norman William Martin, brother in law Robert Martin, sister in law Darlene Martin and tragically her eldest grandchild Christopher Harman in 2020.

Mom grew up on a farm in Shelley Mb. and moved to Winnipeg as a young woman. There she met and was married to our father Norman Martin for 50 yrs. till his passing in 2005. She leaves behind her 5 children Lynda Brooks (Jim), Jean Green (Jim), Deborah Martin, Norman Martin (Florence), Victor Martin (Darlene) also our unofficially adopted sister Susan Armbruster and we can’t leave out Jeanne Tereck affectionately known as “truck”.

Our Mother was the glue that bound us all together. She was a hard worker and at times held two jobs to make ends meet. She was loving and devoted to us all. Our home was a welcoming place for our friends and extended family there was always a pot of coffee on and food at hand. At Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving, she hosted dinners and made deserts that were legendary. She loved to go camping and fishing. We relish the memories of sitting around the fire having fish frys and tasty beverages and lots of stories and laughter. Mom loved to play bingo and befriended many people on her travels. She was artistic and liked to paint and dabbled in many mediums. Mom had a green thumb and loved growing her vegetable garden and took great care in canning and preserving her harvests. She always had a menagerie of houseplants growing like a jungle. Mom’s generosity and caring extended to our local community centre. You would find her there fundraising, running the canteen and helping to keep the doors open for the kids and community. Our Mom was a hockey mom through and through…Go Falcons!

Our mother felt very blessed to have family. Sadly she leaves behind her only sister Kay Newman (Albert). Mom was very loved by her brothers in law who took her under their wings from the day she wed into their family Robert, Ernie (Diane), Stan (Darlene), Keith (Gwen).

Her greatest joy were her 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She loved them all so very much and took great pleasure being a part of their lives listening and encouraging and letting them know how proud she was of them. They all loved grandma’s stories, especially the way she told them.

Mom has nieces and nephews and cousins that grieve her passing. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

We wish to thank the doctors and nurses and emergency responders for their care and efforts.

Cremation has taken place. Due to the pandemic a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or the Diabetes Foundation of Manitoba.