Obituary of Martha Grace

She leaves behind her beloved Bill or as she referred to him, Sweet Willy after 60 years of marriage.

They met on the basketball court in high school in Goderich. When Bill went to see Martha at the ice cream shoppe where she worked and she gave him a triple scoop, he knew he had her heart. They had an idyllic 1950’s courtship of dancing at the Pavillion, beach days and circling the car around the town square.

The sweethearts got married and had three children Gord, Jo-Anne and David and after moving around for Bill’s work they eventually settled in Chatham.

Martha worked at MDS as a lab assistant for her dear friend, Sharon Cousineau.

Her renowned competitive edge won her golf championships. She loved her gorgeous garden and she never missed cheering her kids and grandkids on at their many sporting events.

Martha thought of her children’s spouses Michelle Hewitt, Dave Gagner and Heidi Grace as her own. She then became lovingly known as Gram Martie to seven grandkids Sam Gagner, Jessica Binnington, Renee Gagner, Clark Grace, Rylee Grace, Charlee Grace & Adam Grace and they became her world. She cheered them on and truly believed they were the world’s best kids.
She was blessed with four great grandchildren Cooper, Beckham, Cali Gagner and Brady Binnington. She had the biggest, caring heart and knew everything that was going on with all her family, including her dear sisters Rose Thompson (Ken), Judy Kelly (Paul) and her brother Delmer Bedard (Dorthy) and all the extended family.

She volunteered and enjoyed her many, many friends in town and especially her Bridge gals.

I think she’s in heaven playing cards today making everyone laugh, eating sweets and winning the pot.

Special thanks to Dr Donna Watterud and Dr Cara McMahon for years of special care and kindness.

And thank-you to the nurses and frontline workers at the CK Health Alliance.

The family will have a private service and will announce a celebration of Life in September for friends & family.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Parkinsons Society in Martha’s name.