Jean Martin

   Jean Elizabeth Martin (Kines) passed away on November 19 in Bedford, Nova Scotia. The month prior, she achieved a personal milestone, celebrating 100 years surrounded by family and friends.  

   Born in Tummel in 1918, Jean grew up surrounded by love. She could often be found out on the farm with her father and brother, avoiding the housework that was awaiting her inside. This trend continued throughout her life.  

   When asked about her early life on the farm, Jean always spoke fondly of her parents (James and Lena), brother (John) and chosen sister (Shirley).  

   During WW2, Jean enlisted and was accepted by the Air Force. It was here that she discovered her love of travel. In between baking pies and breaking hearts, she travelled to various cities throughout the US and Canada, with hitchhiking being her preferred method of travel. In 1945 she was honourably discharged and would go on to study dental nursing at the University of Toronto.  

   In 1947 Jean returned home to Roblin and found a partner in Allan. Together, they raised three daughters: Janice, Lynne and Marjorie (who resemble one another in looks, but are unique in talents and temperament), ran a successful mixed farm and would go on to open Martin’s Insurance and work at the Roblin Auction Mart. It was here that Jean, the social one in the relationship, thrived.  

   In her spare time, which was in short supply but high demand, Jean was an active member of the community. She belonged to the Eastern Star for over 50 years, was a member of Knox United Church and the Evening Guild, later the United Church Women, as well as the Roblin Legion, the Roblin Rubies and was a patient 4-H leader, teaching many how to sew, knit and embroider. Jean was talented and efficient (she could make a meal hall’s worth of pies before breakfast, a skill she developed during her time at Camp Borden) and was well known for her hospitality.  

   Another remarkable characteristic was Jean’s memory. She could always remember who married who 98 years ago, the name of the friend who had only been to the house once, or the where someone lived 50 years prior. Her memory was often most impressive during ‘happy hours’ over a drink of rum – first with Hap and Hazel Latimer in Roblin – and later, with her son-in-law Bob or grandson-in-law, Mike. She always loved sharing stories from her time in the service and on one particular day, when asked if she had a boyfriend at the time, she explained “oh yes, I had many”. 

   Nicknamed “Jean Jean the dancing machine” by her sons-in-law, Jean was a surprisingly robust individual. She suffered a number of falls during her years, but always managed to bounce back, amazing doctors, family and friends. Clearly, she was a good woman who would not be kept down.  

   After 97 years in Manitoba, Jean moved to Nova Scotia to spend the winter with her daughter Lynne, and family. After three months of daily visits, family dinners on Sundays and the chaotic but pleasant company of her great-grandchildren, she opted to stay. She often said that she missed Roblin, but she would miss her family more.  

   Jean will be remembered and live on through her daughters, Janice (Hugh), Lynne (Bob) and Marjorie (Sheldon); grandchildren Robert (Ashley), Erin (Mike), Kyle (Vanessa) and Lindsey (Michelle) and great-grandchildren Isabel, Madeline, Lily, Kasch and Angus. 

   We are grateful that we had an opportunity to spend these past two and a half years with Gram. We will think of her often and know she is near every time someone watches the television with no volume, brings home a box of Ritz Bitz crackers, mispronounces “Tylenol”, or fetches a Kleenex from their sleeve.  Jean’s family will miss their daily phone calls to discuss the latest ‘news’ – her interest never wavered.  

   A special thank you to Merv and Allison Safronetz for their hospitality; Ed, Betty and Bob for their beautiful voices and the entire Kines family for being there when we needed them most. Also, sincere thanks to everyone who took time to send Jean birthday wishes. It meant a great deal to Jean –and her family– to know that while she may be gone (from Roblin), she was not, and will not be, forgotten. A Celebration of Life took place at Knox United Church, Roblin, on November 26.

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