Obituary of Eleanor Rose Marie MARTEL

Eleanor Rose Marie Martel (nee Parent) of Gravelbourg, SK, passed away on April 20, 2013, at the Foyer d’Youville in Gravelbourg, SK. Eleanor was born on the family farm May 23, 1918, to Charles and Beatrice (nee Gorham) Parent. Eleanor married Roland Martel on September 9, 1940, in Gravelbourg, SK and they were blessed with six children. They lived in several places in Manitoba and Saskatchewan before settling in Redvers, SK, where they owned a small service station and auto body shop. Eleanor was a terrific homemaker, an amazing cook, and grew an abundance of fresh vegetables in her backyard garden. She always kept her family well fed, often had extra people at the table, and her baking was usually the first sold at the many bake sales she donated to. Somehow, she also found the time to sew much of the children’s clothing and in the later years kept the grandchildren supplied with sweaters, mitts, etc., and gifted many crocheted tablecloths and other needlework creations to family and friends. Eleanor was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of the CWL. She also belonged to the Hospital Auxiliary and Cansurmount organizations. The family would like to thank the staff of the Foyer d’Youville for the compassionate care Eleanor received the past several years. Her dear friend and sister-in-law Lilianne Parent was a huge blessing to the entire family with many visits, errands, and chores she performed for Mom while her kids were all too far away to do these things. Eleanor is survived by her loving family, daughter Denise (Ray) Caron; daughter Jeanne (Don) Richards; son Pete (Janice) Martel; daughter Elaine (John) Weger; daughter Lorraine (Jerry) Milford; daughter Anne (Dan) Demyen; 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; sister Marie McFarland; brothers Wilf Parent, Ralph Parent, Joe (Isabella) Parent, Ed Parent; sisters-in-law Ruth Parent and Lilianne Parent; as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Roland Martel (Dec. 17, 1993); parents Charles and Beatrice Parent; son-in-law Paul Sylvestre; sister Vivian Gravel; brothers Dave Parent, Charles Parent, Paul Parent; sister-in-law Shirley Parent; brothers-in-law Albert Gravel and Harold McFarland. Prayers were held on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., and Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., both at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK. Officiant was Father Joseph Strohhofer. The eulogy was shared by Michael Weger. Our Lady of the Assumption Choir was accompanied by organist Leona Bourgeois. Honour guard was formed by the Catholic Women’s League, Cansurmount and St. Joseph Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. Active pallbearers were Michael Weger, Les Weger, Corey Milford, Larry Milford, Mark Nolte and Dan Nolte. Interment at Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Eleanor to the Foyer d’Youville Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.