Obituary of Carol Joy Martin

Life Story - Carol Joy Martin (Shantz)

December 27, 1940 – February 16, 2020

Carol spent her last day on this earth in the comfort of her home, as was her wish, surrounded by her loved ones. Carol survived cancer on two previous occasions, but, this time, in her 80^th year, the quick and fierce recurrence of breast cancer that painfully metastasized in her bones and liver, made it clear to her and the family that Jesus was calling her home, and she passed peacefully. She will be missed by Ernie, her devoted husband of 57 years and all of her family and friends.

Carol is predeceased by parents Clayton and Vera (Snyder) Shantz.

Carol was a hard-working and loving Mom to her children Richard “Rick” Martin, Valerie Martin-Sowers (Roger Sowers), Roger (Julie) Martin, Shellie (Sherman) Martin; and a caring grandma to her grandchildren Kaitlyn, Nick (Megan) Williams, Mandy (Gwyn) Kingsley, Marissa, Nathan (fiancée Bella), Ben, Katrina (fiancé Josh), Seth, Reuben and Jordan, step-grandchildren Angie Williams and Jason (Kelsae) Williams and step-great-grandchildren Alexa, Alanna and Veronica and special mom to Tracy. Siblings are Ray (Marlene) Shantz, Dianne (Doug) Roeder, Lynn (Al) Stager and foster brother Alvin (Adeline) Thrush. 

Carol also had many surviving relatives on her side of the family, as well as on Ernie’s side of the family. She knew them all by name and was very diligent in keeping up with them. Her efforts to make and serve food for any occasion, and to speak personally with all who attended will never be forgotten. She always wanted to make sure everyone felt special, everyone was fed, and everyone was included. Carol was known by all for keeping track of the names of the new spouses and new babies that joined the family every year and made sure they felt like they belonged and had always been a part of it. She kept a record of everyone’s birthday and everyone’s anniversary, and she regularly kept up with recognizing special occasions and sending personalized cards and letters to people throughout the years. She husked many ears of corn, canned many jars of fruit, baked many delicious pies and desserts over her lifetime, ironed many baskets of clothes, and those who knew her and loved her will never forget her and her many acts of kindness. 

Carol was born and lived in the Baden area and attended Shantz Mennonite Church, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate and Waterloo Oxford Secondary School. To further her education, Carol attended Lougheed Business College, where she was successful in learning various administrative skills which she was able to use in many areas of her life, including her church ministry and volunteer work. Carol’s strong desire to serve the Lord in learning more about His Word drew her to attend Ontario Mennonite Bible School (OMBS) for a three year program. During the three years Carol attended OMBS which ran January to March each year, she had the faith to believe she would find work for the other nine months of the year, and she did. She was a very hard worker, and she applied her amazing skills and her giving heart to every area of her life. 

OMBS was a Bible school but was also known as a “match making factory”. Many young men and women who attended OMBS were able to meet like-minded people who shared their love for the Lord, and many found their life partners there. Carol was no exception. She made many lifelong friends at OMBS, including meeting her husband Ernie, who attended the same three year program, and together, they graduated in 1960. They were married in 1962 and eventually moved to Ernie’s parents home farm, Henry F. Martin in March of 1969. 

Carol was an active member of Bethel Mennonite Church, where she worked tirelessly “behind the scenes” on countless committees.   She used her administrative skills in roles like secretary for committees, bulletin co-ordinator, key holder, funeral planning committee and many others.

She also served in other roles such as Vacation Bible School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, and other church activities in which she served others, including being a “Church Hostess”, as Carol was always willing to set an extra spot or two at her family table for visitors to the church. 

After raising her children, Carol worked at St. Jacobs ABC, and then she was afforded the opportunity to do something she really loved, working with flowers first at Drimmie Florist in Elora and then Frey's Flowers in Elmira, which is where she worked just before retiring. 

Carol always enjoyed music and participating in singing including trios, small ensembles and large mass choirs, and most recently Gloryland Chorus where she and Ernie both sang together for seven years. Carol had a strong alto voice and could be counted on to use it. She also loved attending concerts and supporting her children and grandchildren in various activities. 

Carol enjoyed being a contributing member of Christian Women’s Club, The Auxiliary at Fairview Mennonite Home and Women of Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada. She had a heart for her family, extended family, the less fortunate and many people who just needed a listening ear. While her children attended school at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Carol volunteered her time at the Rockway Thrift Shop, and of course, she needed to be a taxi driver to get all of her four children to their many activities.

In later years, after retiring from farming, Carol and Ernie enjoyed traveling and their travels took them to places like Europe, across Canada and the USA, from places like Newfoundland to the Yukon onto Alaska and even Hawaii. They enjoyed the sunshine, taking in nature and experiencing the majestic beauty of the mountains, the wildlife and Carol especially loved seeing all the beautiful flowers and how they grew in so many different places. For the past seven years, Carol and Ernie made their home at Martin Grove Village in Waterloo and spent time at their trailer at Summer House (Miller Lake). And, now she has gone on to her Heavenly home.

Pastor Dave’s many visits over the last weeks in Carol’s home as well as the care centres have been extremely encouraging and uplifting to her and to her family.  Carol affectionately referred to Pastor Dave as her “couch warmer”, as he visited her almost daily, reading Scriptures to her and praying with her, while humbly sitting at her feet.  As well, words cannot express the deep gratitude that Carol’s family feels for her dear sisters, Dianne and Lynn, who gave of themselves to help the family care for their sister in her final days and support the rest of her family through this journey. 

Thank you to the staff at Grand River Hospital, the teams in the ER and the Freeport hospital staff, as well as the homecare system and especially Nurse Jane for her kindness, compassion and understanding. 

We couldn’t have done it without all of these caring people. Family and friends are encouraged to come visit with the family at Bethel Mennonite Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and again on Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 1-4 p.m.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Floradale Mennonite Church at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2020. 

If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to World Vision or the Canadian Cancer Society or any organization of your choice.