Hélène Leona (Lea) Martin (Couturier)
June 13, 1959 - November 22, 2020
It is with profound sadness that the family of Lea Martin announces that she lost her battle with cancer on November 22, 2020 at the age of 61.
Lea bravely battled cancer for two and a half years. Her faith, determination and optimism inspired others and likely prolonged her life to give us more precious time with her. Tragically, in February of this year, Lea lost her beloved son, Christopher, which impacted her tremendously.
Lea was born in Montreal, Quebec and is the third of six children. She was the oldest of the four sisters and very close to all of her siblings. Lea came to Yellowknife in 1987 with her now ex-husband, Trevor Martin, and their two children, Christopher and Gabrielle. Over the 33 years in Yellowknife, Lea worked at the GNWT in the Department of Education and then for the last 20 years, she has been working as the only Immigration Officer in the NWT. Lea was passionate about her work and made many friends with the people she worked with both in Yellowknife and overseas when she went on temporary foreign assignments. She went to the African continent multiple times and proudly represented Canada and her employer on these assignments, which she loved. It was her dream to retire and live in Africa.
Lea also spent many, many years volunteering for Special Olympics. She put her heart and soul into running events for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, such as the Airplane Pull, Polar Plunge and coordinated a Convoy for a Cause. She was involved in LETR since its inception in Yellowknife and was a director for six years until she had to step down in 2019 when she became too ill to continue. Lea also volunteered her time on other community events such as Citizens on Patrol and the Community Wellness Coalition.
Most of all though, Lea was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter and sister and a friend to many. She was always welcoming to everyone and was extremely devoted to her son and daughter. Her granddaughter, Chyler, was the light of her life.
Lea will be greatly missed every day by her daughter, Gabrielle (William Macleod) and her granddaughter, Chyler; her siblings, Cyr (Wanda), Marie, Christine (Julian), Donna and her father, Cyr Sr. as well as her aunts, nieces and nephews and many, many friends and colleagues. She was predeceased by her son, Christopher, her brother, Don, and her mother, Annemarie.
Due to COVID, a celebration of life will be held in the future. As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made to Fresh Start Recovery Center (Calgary) in memory of Lea and Christopher Martin.
Send message of condolence to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com
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