M. Bernice Martin

MARTIN, M. Bernice- It is with sadness but great gratitude that the family of Margaret Bernice Martin, mourn the loss of and celebrate the life of a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Bernice was born in Mount Pleasant, Ontario on June 24, 1927 to parents, Isobel and Laurier Houlding and she passed away in Ingersoll, Ontario on Sunday, July 21st, 2019 having recently celebrated her 92nd birthday with her family. Bernice met Aubrey Martin at a Baptist Young People’s event in Scotland, Ontario when she was 15. They were married in 1950 after she completed her nurses’ training at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario.  Aubrey predeceased her in 2006.  Bernice inherited her artistic skills from her mother and her farming knowledge from her father as she grew up on the family farm in Mount Pleasant. She was a constant helpmate to her husband on their dairy farm in Oxford Centre and a loving mother to Margaret (Raymond) Atkinson and Robert (Elizabeth) Martin. Bernice was a caring mother figure to Paul McCutcheon who has lived and worked with the Martin family for over 42 years. Bernice will be remembered as a practical, capable, ‘down to earth’ community oriented, artistic and hospitable wife, mother, grandmother, neighbour and friend who exemplified faith, perseverance, dedication and commitment in the service of others. She found great joy in teaching and sharing happy summer holidays and carefree moments with her Atkinson grandchildren James (Linda and their daughter Megan) and Sean (Michelle and their sons Tai and Koa) and her Martin grandchildren Laura (Will) and William. All of them have fond memories of time spent playing games, doing crafts that won prizes at the local fair and enjoying her home cooking. Bernice is survived by her sister Hilda Andrews of Orillia and her Martin brothers-in-law and their families. Visitation will be held at the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock (519-539-0004) on Friday, July 26th, 2019, from 7 PM to 9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019 at 11 AM with Reverend George Boyd, pastor of The Rock Community Church  officiating. If desired, contributions to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.