Gladys Ann Martin

With family at her side, Gladys Ann Martin, 81, of Fort Frances, Ontario passed away peacefully at La Verendrye General Hospital on Thursday, March 23, 2017.She was born to Thomas and Myrtle (Wright) Jolicouer on May 18, 1935 in Stratton, ON and was a life-long resident of the Rainy River District.

As a young woman, Gladys worked for a short time on Great Lake ships, at La Verendrye Hospital as a nurse trainee, and then joined the local Shop-Easy store where she enjoyed serving customers with a smile. She often recalled fond memories of those experiences.

On November 23, 1957 Gladys exchanged wedding vows with William “Bill” Martin at the Catholic Church in Stratton,

and together they called Fort Frances home for nearly 60 years.

Eventually, Gladys and Bill settled into their home on Front Street with its distinctive chain fence,

a symbol of the Martin family’s heritage as part of the region’s logging industry. Close friends fondly crowned her as “The Queen of Front Street” and she cherished her unique view of the river, especially the beautiful sunsets.

Community service was important and she enjoyed being a member of the Catholic Women’s League and Auxiliaries of the Royal Canadian Legion, La Verendrye Hospital and Rainycrest. She also loved the friendly competition of playing bridge and was actively involved with many friends in four different bridge clubs.

Gladys and Bill were always on the move, whether it was for day trips around the district, voyages “up the lake” on the family’s Huk-A-Puk houseboat,

or road trips to visit Susan or Billy and their families. Highlights included Caribbean and Alaskan cruises and a trip to visit Billy and Corinia and the kids in Belgium, which they extended to include several other European countries including England, where she was able to see where the other Queen lived.

Gladys was very proud of her three children and their families.

She is deeply missed by daughters, Susan (Ron) Gushulak of Cincinnati, Ohio and Diane (Wayne) Krawchuk of Fort Frances, son William (Corinia) of Carleton Place, ON; six grandchildren who loved her dearly, including Reagan (Jessica) Gushulak of Cleveland, Ohio, Nathan and Michael Gushulak of Cincinnati, Kaid Krawchuk of Vancouver, BC, and William and Rebecca Martin of Carleton Place and two precious great-grandchildren, Calvin Neal and Sylvia Frances Gushulak of Cleveland. She is survived by her sisters, Eileen Pearson and Shirley (Mike) Zdep of Keewatin and Margaret Benjamin of Fort Frances, brothers Armand (Maureen) of Sioux Lookout and Allan (Joan) of Barwick, and by sisters-in-law Gladys Jolicouer of Stratton and Doreen Jolicouer of Keewatin.

She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends who were always welcomed to drop over for a cup or two of Bill and Gladys’ famously strong coffee.