MARTIN, Barbara Ann (nee Fairfield) 1933–2020

April 24 th, 1933 – October 13th, 2020

It is with great sadness but full hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Martin (nee Fairfield).  Loving wife of David Martin, mother to Mavis (Alex), Carolyn, Jeff, Stephen (Cynthia) and Cynthia (Larry). Beloved Baba to Chelsea, Evan, Aly, Zack, Jaime, Paige, Megan, Nathan and Zadia. Great Baba to Sam, Juliet, Sofie, Elly and Arlo.

Barbara was predeceased by her brothers Lory, Mel and Cam and is survived by her sister Rhoda.

Born in Selkirk Manitoba she attended the University of Manitoba where she met and married David.  They raised five children and countless pets in Hudson, Quebec. She was the co-founder of Ptarmigan, a successful handweaving studio. Mom was an avid gardener and horseback rider and the family eventually moved to a farm on Fief road where she continued to run the business from a log cabin as well as running the farm and gardens. She was a keen sailor and kept elaborate logs of their many trips on Lake of Two Mountains, Thousand Islands and the Rideau Canal.

They enjoyed living in sunny Ajo, Arizona and Prescott, Ontario before moving back to Hudson in 2018. She loved playing tennis, golf, and bridge, and enjoyed bird watching, biking, sailing, skiing and playing the piano.  She was a well-loved member of the Sandra Lawn Harbor and Hudson Yacht Club. In Prescott she spent much time maintaining community gardens and volunteering for the St Lawrence Shakespeare festival. She loved swimming in the St Lawrence and camping in the Sonoran Desert. She was an active member of St John’s Anglican in Prescott and St Mary’s Anglican in Como.

To our dearest wife and Mother we will always remember your beauty, kindness, courage, humility, patience, tremendous curiosity and love of life. Your favorite times were always with family. You will be dearly missed by countless friends. We will cherish you in our hearts and memories forever.

We would like to thank Judy Tellier and the entire Nova team, Dr. Terret-Hans and the CLSC, as well as the caring staff at the Palliative care residence in Hudson. With their expert care and compassionate guidance, we were able to have Mom at home right up until the end.  In lieu of flowers donations to Nova Hudson www.novahudson.com and the Palliative Care Residence www.mspvs.org would be greatly appreciated.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

19 Comments

  • Helen Henshaw Posted 25/10/2020 11:02 am

    Barbie was a shining light in all our lives. She loved to laugh ad enjoyed life to the fullest. We will miss her! May she rest In peace.

  • Rhoda Fairfield Posted 25/10/2020 11:04 am

    I will miss you so much, dear sister, but the happy times will be with me forever. I love you. Rhoda

  • Naomi Henshaw Posted 25/10/2020 12:26 pm

    When I met Barbie and Dave those many years ago, I persuaded them to rent our “‘apple house”,at Riversmead having in mind they would inject some life and vavacity into our lives with all the children etc.Well….did it ever work out! So many happy and fun years. Condolences to the family.

  • Kim Fairfield Posted 25/10/2020 1:11 pm

    Dearest Aunty Barb. I’m going to miss your smile and your beautiful laugh. I treasure.the time I got to spend at the farm when I was little and I am grateful for the memories you were a part of. Love to you and your family. Love, Kim

    • mavis martin Posted 26/10/2020 12:35 pm

      Dear Kim, Mom also had a silent laugh which we will miss so so much. It always came with tears of laughter and joy. big hugs, Mavis

  • Shelagh Henshaw Posted 25/10/2020 7:30 pm

    When I was in about grade two I was at the Martins’ house visiting with my pal and the youngest of the family, Bia (Cynthia), when Barbie came along and commented how my long hair was all tangled. She brushed it out and gave me a cute hairdo, just like what Bia had. That stuck with me all these years. That, and the so many good laughs we shared. Love to all the family.

  • Kathy Conway Posted 25/10/2020 9:21 pm

    A beautiful tribute to a beautiful, kind, and loving lady. My sympathies to the entire Martin family.

  • Lois Tani Posted 25/10/2020 11:57 pm

    So sorry to hear of her passing. I was only aware recently of her failing health. It wasn’t so long ago that I saw her in front of The Manoir after a bridge game and she looked wonderful. She was my friends’ Mom but also my boss when I worked at Ptarmigans for a short time. The Martin home was always open to friends and family and we had many fun times on the farm on Fief. I almost went up in flames at a Halloween party there and if it weren’t for Barb I don’t know where I’d be now! I’ll never forget that night! What a wonderful woman she was with a generous laugh and radiant smile. She will be missed.

  • Lorraine Duclos Posted 26/10/2020 3:01 am

    My condolences to Mavis and Carolyn and the Martin/Fairfield families. Tennis was the start to our family connection at Royal Oak Tennis Club in Como where endless games were played on the courts generation vs generation. Mrs Martin also brought together the local talents of many artists with The Ptarmigan Weavers in Como. Fun memories that will linger for years. Rest In Peace.

  • Judith McLeod Posted 26/10/2020 8:24 am

    May her soul rest in peace. A woman of valour. Her smiles brightens the saddest day, her laughter softens the hardest heart and her tenacity for life makes the weakest person the strongest

  • Debra Posted 26/10/2020 8:26 am

    My deepest sympathy. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. May her memories live on in both of you. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

  • Rod Hodgson Posted 26/10/2020 10:00 am

    My deepest sympathy to all Barb’s family. As a member of Legion Br. #115, I will lower the flag today in her memory.

  • Margaret MacDonald Posted 26/10/2020 10:09 am

    I remember Barbara from my younger years; I loved going to the Martin house with Shelagh (Henshaw) to play with Cynthia (Bia). She was always so kind, warm and welcoming. My deepest sympathies to the family.

  • Jo Savage Posted 26/10/2020 11:11 am

    I will miss Barb forever. She and Dave became friends soon after I moved to Prescott. Always full of fun and o the many good times we enjoyed. I just read the notes above and the comments of all reflect my sentiments as well.
    I miss everything about her, her big smile, blue blue eyes, and biggest laugh which was always ready to be shared.
    I know that because of her love of life that she passed onto her family, they will, in time, continue with the tradition. Dave and Barb taught all their children at a very young how to have the best of times. Sometimes grand occasions and other times a glass of wine and plate of cheese could spark a party.
    Barb you were always an amazing lady to me with the best family ever. Life was a delight for you. May you rest in peace now. I know you will never be far away. I can shut my eyes, reach out my hand and you will be there to caress and guide me always. Love and caring to everyone in the Martin family. I love you.

  • Margo Christofolakos Posted 27/10/2020 5:26 pm

    So many happy memories of Barb as a skillful and fun tennis partner. Sincerest sympathy Dave from Margo and John

  • Margaret Barton Posted 27/10/2020 10:55 pm

    I am so sorry to hear this. I remember her from St. John’s in Prescott. I remember her smile and her laugh, but also her happiness…it oozed from her . Such a kind, genuinely friendly soul. I know you will miss her terribly. Take care all of you.

  • Dawn Ann Faris Posted 28/10/2020 1:55 pm

    Barb was a beautiful lady and I always enjoyed playing bridge with her. Regardless of what she was going through she always had that great smile. I would like to extend my condolences to the family. Barb was a special.
    Dawn Ann

  • Deb Hayes Posted 30/10/2020 11:43 am

    Dave and Barb were a wonderful part of our church family here at St John’s Prescott. They made all our events so much more fun. We prayed with them in celebrations and worrisome times and we prayed for their happiness when the felt the call to return to Hudson. We missed them very much but knew they were only ‘up the road.’ Now Barb has left us and left a very big void. David and family, we are truly sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

  • Sue Turner Posted 30/10/2020 10:03 pm

    My sincere condolences to you and your family, Dave. I first met Barb while I was walking along the Prescott waterfront and she was heading to your boat, with her trusty yoga mat in tow. We found out that we shared a mutual love of yoga, and eventually she joined my classes. I always enjoyed our conversations. She was a genuinely lovely person, with a kind and caring heart. May the love and bright light that she shared with so many continue to fill your hearts and and lift your spirits in the days ahead. Namaste, Sue

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