Glenda Martin

Glenda Florence Martin (nee Sanderson) was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on October 21, 1949 to farmer George Sanderson and school teacher Tillie Sanderson (Biliske.) As an inquisitive young girl growing up on the family farm near Pathlow, SK, Glenda helped her parents cook, chop wood, milk cows, pick berries, and gather eggs. She taught her younger sisters lessons in math, science, bike riding, and baking, and excelled at ice skating, hockey, track and field, and softball.

After graduation from high school in 1967, Glenda entered the SIAST nursing program, completing her studies and taking her first registered nurse job at Melfort Hospital in 1970.

On December 19, 1970, Glenda married Larry Martin of St Brieux, SK. They lived first in Saskatoon, then in Regina, with Glenda working in pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency along the way.

In the late 70s, Glenda and Larry lived in Ottawa for three years.

After the arrival of their son Everett in 1980, they returned to Regina

in 1981 where Glenda dedicated herself full-time to raising a family.

She volunteered for Everett's band trips, attended conferences with Larry, expertly crafted Christmas decorations and Halloween costumes, and experimented with "ethnic" cuisines long before they were commonplace.

In 1985, Glenda returned to work as a RN with the Canadian Red Cross (Canadian Blood Services) in Regina, and later in Winnipeg from 1995 until her retirement to the fresh air and steep peaks of gorgeous Canmore, AB in 2006.

Glenda loved to get outdoors and take the road less traveled to the mountains, forests, canyons, and coasts of all 10 Canadian provinces and much of the USA. She visited the Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, and Hawaii, and her trip of a lifetime was a three month epic adventure in New Zealand with Larry in 2001.

Glenda enjoyed fresh lobster on the docks in Nova Scotia and marvelled at bears, wolves, and cougars in the Rockies. She watched belugas in Gaspé, QC, orcas in Telegraph Cove, BC, and even met the famous killer whale 'Luna' off the remote northern coast of Vancouver Island. She hiked lush meadows, skied majestic slopes, paddled calm northern waters, and soared over glaciers by helicopter.

Glenda's enjoyment of nature led to a deep interest in wildflowers, mushrooms and other flora, aided by a horticulture certificate that filled her head with far too many Latin plant names. Her own garden was always an oasis for family members and wildlife alike.

Glenda also loved curling, playing regularly across Canada and winning the 1986 women's Grand Aggregate in Regina. Every year she took in numerous bonspiels, and was thrilled to watch the Tournament of Hearts and Winter Olympics one more time before her passing.

Sadly, Glenda also faced many health challenges. The cancer that eventually took her life was one of several, on top of other illnesses

and surgeries including a major open heart operation in 2010.

Every time, Glenda displayed unrivalled courage and determination.

After her last diagnosis, she decided to make her home her hospice

and stay close to nature and her loved ones. Glenda passed away peacefully on a Friday afternoon with her husband, son, and sisters

by her side.

Glenda was predeceased by her father George (1992) and her mother Tillie (2011), as well as her father-in-law Frank (1996) and many

dear aunts, uncles, and cousins over the years whose memories she cherished.

Left to remember and honour Glenda are her loving husband of

47 years Larry, her devoted son Everett, and her three Sanderson sisters and their families: Anita (John Jenkins, Matthew, Adam),

Ivadell (Dave Holt, Regan, Andrea, Carley, Kelsey), and Margaret (Wayne Turgeon, Olivia, Hilary.) She is also survived by her

mother-in-law Merise, aunts Ida, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Ivy,

uncle Wilf, the families of Jim, Betty, Barney, Marion, Ian, and Karen, and an extended family of loving cousins and friends whom she felt truly blessed to know.

Two celebrations of Glenda's life will be held in the late spring,

one in the mountains of Alberta, and one in the Saskatchewan prairies. Her ashes will be spread in a special place of her choosing.

Thanks to Dr. Mike Quinlan and the nurses, aides, techs,

specialists, paramedics, doctors, and staff at Canmore Hospital

for your compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Palliative Care Society

of the Bow Valley, with "In Memory of Glenda Martin" in the memo

or comment field.

www.palliativecarebowvalley.com/donations

To share your condolences or fond memories:

Box 8713, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 0B9 or larry.glenda.martin@gmail.com

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.