Sydney
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Anne Martell-Thomas, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after a long, fierce and courageous battle with cancer.
Mom was born in Sydney on August 20, 1936 to the late Archibald ‘Red Archie’ and Ethel (Bartlett) MacDonald.
Mom grew up in the north end of Sydney and attended Holy Angels High School and married the late Cyril (Sid) Martell in 1956. Mom and Dad raised eight children. Mom was the rock of our family – an incredibly loving, kind, funny, talented, resilient, and resourceful woman. Mom instilled in her children the importance of teamwork and everyone helping at home. She was an unbelievable baker and she never stopped learning and trying new recipes. Mom was very competitive and loved playing crib and tarbish with her family and friends. She was the self-proclaimed all-time crib champion in our house. She loved doing the cryptoquote every day and was always trying to beat her record of completing it under a minute. She loved watching all types of sports from golf to baseball to hockey.
Music was always a big part of her life. Mom sang in the choir for many years and loved to harmonize. Our home was full of laughter and singing from kitchen parties and card games. Mom had a quick wit and always found humor in things. After many years as a homemaker, Mom entered the workforce and began working for Sears Canada for over 24 years. She loved her job in the service department. Her husband Sid died in 1993. In 2002, Mom married Archie Thomas and they were married for 19 years. They cherished their time together. They loved visits with friends and family especially their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom battled her health issues over the years with incredible courage and grace. Our family witnessed a display of strength that we’ll never forget. She would say with each struggle she is “earning her wings”. Mom, you certainly earned your wings.
Besides her parents, Anne was predeceased by her first husband, Sid Martell; siblings, Winnifred MacDonald (Lloyd), and Jane Snow (Jack) and daughter-in-law, Shauna Martell.
She will be missed by many friends especially her lifelong friends, Joan Campbell and Marie Campbell. Mom is survived by her husband, Archie Thomas; siblings, Patsy McMullin (Roddie), John MacDonald (Anne), Sandy MacDonald (Helen); children, Terry Martell (late Shauna), Cathy Doull (Rick), Robert Martell (Krista), Mary Beth Martell, Gregory Martell (Margaret), Jennifer Morrison (Stephen), Brian Martell (Gina) and Stephen Martell; grandchildren, T.J. Martell (Melanie), Brendan Martell (Janell), Matthew Doull, Ryan Doull (Lucy), Tess Havreluck, Meredith Martell, Sarah Martell, David Martell, Riley Morrison, Gillian Morrison, Marissa Martell, and Nathan Martell; great-grandchildren, Liam Martell, Sophia Martell, Sidney Martell and Max Doull; stepchildren, Delores Henick (Mike), Henrietta MacNeil (Vince), Leona MacNeil (Bobby), Kevin Thomas (Lucy), and Greg Thomas; grandchildren, Michael Henick (Carly) , Ellen Henick-Mark (Stevee), Sarah Brannen (John), Patrick Henick, Daniel Henick, Andrew MacNeil (Lisa), Ashton MacNeil, Julia MacKenzie (Dave), Robert MacNeil, Jessie MacNeil, and Jordan Thomas and great-grandchildren, Eli and Mia Mark, Thomas Brannen, Isabella Wareham.
We would like to thank the palliative team and Rhonda McNeil, cancer patient advocate, who provided wonderful support for Mom in her time of need.
There will be no visitation for the late Anne Martell-Thomas. A small, “Family Only” Memorial Service will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Monday, July 26, 2021, with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Anne, may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society, Sydney or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“Mom, rest easy now in heaven – your incredible work is done.”
Online Condolences
To the family, A memorial donation has been made in memory of Anne Martell by the management and staff of GE Barbour Inc.
Archie & The Martell & Thomas Family
So sorry to rear of Ann passing I worked with Her at Sears will keep Her & the Family in My prayers May God bless you all
From: Ada Hagen
To the Martell and Thomas familys my condolences go out to all of you at this sad and difficult time you are in my prayers and thoughts
From: Mildred Hansen Cameron
So sorry for the loss of your mother…
From: Ans & Kay Mac Donald
So sorry to read of Anne’s passing. Her obituary is beautiful and describes Anne to a “T”. My sincere condolences to Anne’s family.
From: Anne Lee (Pace) Kerr
My condolences Anne’s family .
Hi how are you
Dear Family Members,
Such very sad news of the passing of your mom. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with. May God bless you and watch over you.
Jim and Brenda,
St Vincent de Paul Parish,
Dartmouth, NS
Sincere condolences to Aunt Anne’s family. Sending prayers and strength at this difficult time.
Our condolences to your family.You have an Angel looking over you all God Bless
To my cousins and extended family of Anne. May she rest in peace now in heaven. My heartfelt sadness at such a loss.
Love from Randy Martell & Family.
Love from Tim Martell & Family.
Love from Caroline Martell.
We love you all.
Delores and families may the love of family and friends ease your sadness you are in my thoughts and prayers 🙏
So sad to hear of Anne’s passing. She was a kind and wonderful person and it was thoughtful for her to have kept in touch with Sid’s extended family over the years.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
– Krista Martell
Jennifer and Stephen, Gillian and Riley, we are sorry for your loss of your dear Mother and Grandmother. I know you have many beautiful memories to cherish. With sympathy Bill and Barb Taylor
Sorry to hear about your loss. We are good friends of Henrietta and Vince. Take care and take care of if each other… Ron and Ruby Burry.
Terry so very sorry to read of your mom’s passing.
Deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Jane & Theresa MacNeil
To All Martell Children,
I was very saddened to hear that Anne had passed away. Although I have not seen her lately, Anne has always had a special place in my heart. She was classy, strong, and funny too! Know that her spirit lives on in all of you. May your memories and togetherness help you through your intense grief. Hugs to all of you!
Our sincere condolences on the loss of sweet Anne. She was a lovely lady who will be sadly missed. 🙏🏻💐
Eileen & Wally Forrester
Sincere condolences to the Martell & Thomas families.
Frankie & Evelyn Ferguson…Orangeville,Ont.
To a second mother who has always been there for me. I hope you rest in peace knowing how much of a positive influence you were in many people’s lives…from your dear old friends, to your own children and children gained. My prayers and thoughts are most for Archie, Jenny, Cathy, Robert, Mary Beth, Brian, Greg, Terry….and most of all Steve. Sharing sadness with you. She lives on through all of her dearest children who she cherished and loved so much.
We will certainly miss Anne at family gatherings. She enjoyed them so much, she had a great sense of humour and fun. A blessing to Archie, as he would be the first to tell you. Anne certainly did “earn her wings” through her struggles but also by just being the good person she was. Our condolences to Anne’s family and many friends, who will surely feel her loss.
Love, Colleen & Regina Gillis
Jennifer-We are so very sorry to hear of your dear mother’s passing. She was obviously loved and will be profoundly missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
My deepest sympathies to MaryBeth and family . I wish I could have met your Mom.
ARCHIE,and Family
you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Anne LeBrasseur
Cole Harbour
To Jen, Steve, Riley, Gillian and the Martell family – It was my great pleasure to have met your mother at book club one night. She was funny and classy and I seem to remember that she made a very fine pie (all amazing gifts she has passed on to you, Jen). Kevin and I send our condolences to you all.
Terry and family
Sending sincere condolences to you on the loss of your mother and grandmother.
Jennifer, Stephen, Riley and Gillian and the entire Martell-Thomas family, so sorry to hear of Anne’s passing. Sincere condolences on the loss of your mother and grandmother from the Morrison family. Anne was always so outgoing, friendly and kind, she will be greatly missed.
Terry, TJ, Brendan and families
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your mom/grandmother. May your memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
Sympathies on your great loss to Leona, Henrietta, Delores, Kevin and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
May she Rest In Peace.
Deepest condolences to Archie and family on the passing of Anne May She RIP
My sincere condolences to the family ! She certainly “Earned her Wings” . . .
She raised a wonderful family my condolences to them. Thinking of you in this difficult time.
Sincere condolences to the Martell family. She will be missed by her family and friends.
To all of Anne’s children.Please know how sad Donnie and I were to hear of Anne’s death.She will always hold a special place in our hearts.We will continue to think of her with our many fond memories of her.
Such a loss for everyone especially Archie. Anne was a wonderful mother, a great tarbish player and all round lovely lady.
May she Rest In Peace
Hayes and Elaine MacNeil
Greg, Margaret, Meredith, Sarah and David – and all the Martell family – so sorry for your loss. So tough to lose a cherished parent /grandparent who has been such an important part of your lives for so long. She fought hard and with patience and humour. Now she can rest in peace, having left this world surrounded by the love of her family. Her physical presence in your lives will be missed but she will remain with you forever and be right there with you when you need her. Much love from John, Cyndy, Jonathan, Andrea and Kathryn xoxox
Fond memories of Ann trying to teach us tarbish lessons at Spanish River Pensioners Club. Hope memories of the happy times will always bring you, her family, comfort.
Sincere condolences,
Tom and Eleanor Murphy
To the Martell and Thomas families
Sorry to read of Anne passing, out thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Stan and Estelle (Martell) Reppa
So sorry to hear of Anne’s passing,our
thoughts and Prayers are with you all .
We are sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a great lady and will be missed. Good friend of our parents Byron & Hazel. Condolences from Darlene & Byron Jr. MacPhee.