Martha Crichton

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, who was the love of her life and truly her best friend Barry Corbett, her daughters, who she loved deeply, taught to be strong and raised to carry so many of her qualities Kelly Corbett, Katie and her husband Graeme Jackson, her grandchildren that she shone her love and absolute pride upon, Nolan, Nathan, Molly, Emily and Grace. She is also survived by her brother John (Lynda) Crichton, her sisters Kelly and Josephine Crichton. Her brother in law Douglas Corbett and her sister in law Linda Corbett. Along with many nieces and nephews who she adored and loved.

Martha is predeceased by parents Harold Crichton and Florence Anne Crichton ne: Pat, as well as her brothers Peter and Chris Crichton. She is also predeceased by her in laws, Douglas and May Corbett, and her brother in law Mel Watkins.

Martha was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1953, as the youngest in a family of six children. There she began her life exploring world around her, and creating stories filled with her imagination, adventures and curiosity. Martha loved telling stories of her childhood in Ottawa, and you could feel the deep love and admiration she had for her parents and her older sisters and brothers. Her love of horses also began in Ottawa with her dear friend Linda Holt. In Ottawa she began her true love of life. She shared this love with Barry, Kelly and Katie by returning each year to Ottawa to spend summers in Constance Bay, with her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Many happy days were spent under the acorn trees, swimming at the beach, walking to ‘The Point’ and enjoying a place her parents created for their family.

Later, Martha took a trip to visit her sister Kelly in the Northwest Territories, where she met her soulmate, Barry. Together they lived and worked in Yellowknife falling deeper in love every step of the way. They continued their journey at Trent University in Peterbrough where they met their dear friends Gary and Brenda Lindsay. The two eventually moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where Martha finished her University degrees and began life with their two daughters.

Martha moved with her family to Kenora Ontario and loved the natural world around her. She took every advantage of the landscape, met many lifelong friends and enjoyed walking with her precious dogs at the Vernon Nature area, canoeing, exploring, cross-country skiing, and many other adventures. Along the way she would be sure to teach her daughters and grandchildren the many wonders of the world around them. Sharing facts, curiosities, and stories. Teaching them how every aspect of our world is connected and how we value them. Martha’s daughters Kelly and Katie treasured the bond they shared with their mom. Throughout their lives she taught them strength, independence, kindness and love. She was and always will be a part of them. Her grandchildren were Martha’s greatest gift. She relished in their lives and showered them with every part of her care and love. She took every advantage to share adventures with them, have sleep overs, share stories with them, and instill her love of life and the world’s wonders with them. ‘Ganna’ was and always will be a beacon for her grandchildren as they move through life.

Martha began her teaching career in Winnipeg but grew as a teacher in Kenora. Teaching was her passion. Many beautiful lifelong friendships were built during her teaching career. She not only was a mentor to many but a true friend that she shared many a laugh and adventure. From houseboats to race tracks, Martha had such amazing times and memories with her dear friends. She found the ‘spark’ and gifts in all of her students. With her unrelenting kindness and true love of teaching she spread her knowledge, imagination, and curiosity to all of her students. If you ever meet a child Martha taught they will no doubt share stories of her teaching them about the wonders of Owls, worms, the Northern Lights and many other things. She was a light in the classroom, students and teachers were inspired by her true thirst for knowledge, caring and kind nature, and her love of teaching.

In her retirement, Martha continued to seize every opportunity to love life. She travelled the world with Barry. Many a night were spent in “Travel Club” meetings planning their hikes and adventures. Together, hand and hand they took in every experience they possibly could and embraced the world around them. Living life to its fullest and loving every single precious moment. In these moments, and truly every moment you saw the deep, genuine and pure love Martha and Barry shared with each other. They were and always will be the couple that you wanted to aspire to be.

Martha was and always will be the foundation of her family. She naturally instilled her love of life, the world, and nature, how to treasure every moment, to seize opportunities, to find the good in everyone, to be kind, caring, to laugh, to let go of anger (“it won’t do you any good”) to be curious and never stop learning, and to simply just love. Her family finds great peace in knowing that her teachings, memories and love will continue with them throughout life. That her presence will always be felt in every place they are. When you feel the wind blow through the trees, know she is there. When you see a single snowflake fall, know she is there. When you see a single bird land in front of you, know she is there.

Martha’s family would like to thank the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, the oncologists, doctors, nurses, paramedics and staff for their compassion, kindness and care. They would also like to thank Brown’s Funeral Home and Cremation Centre for their care and compassion during this difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held at one of Martha’s favourite places, The Vernon Nature Area, at a later date. In honor of Martha, donations can be made to any one of her meaningful charities, Cancer Care Thunder Bay, Lake of the Woods District Hospital, and a Dog’s Life.

Hope is a thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words and never stops

At all.

And sweetest is the gale is heard,

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That keeps so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chilliest land

And on the strangest sea

Yet, never in extremity

It asked a crumb of me. (Emily Dickinson)