Friday, May 31, 2019 ~ SOOKE [updated June 4, 2019 – Mayors’ names added]
by Chelsea Kirkpatrick, West Shore Voice News | Mary P Brooke, editor
Martha Moore passed away peacefully early in the morning of May 7, 2019 with family by her side. She was 86. Martha Moore’s Celebration of Life was at Sooke Community Hall on May 25. It was a full house.
A couple of hundred Sooke folks showed up to pay their respects to Martha who was obviously seen as an important member of the Sooke community. Even the Premier of BC, John Horgan, spent his afternoon with those in the hall to remember someone who always spoke up and was a friend to so many. The event was also attended by Sooke Mayor Maja Tait and former Sooke Mayors Janet Evans and Wendal Milne.
Horgan, who had many stories and memories of Martha from his years as an MLA in the region, spoke on the weather of the day: “Martha would be happy with the weather today, [rain] being a sign of renewal.” A very fitting remark considering Martha’s love for growth.
There was a religious tone throughout the service as Martha Moore had drawn strength from her belief. Two of her favourite passages from the Bible were Psalms 23 and John 3: 14-18. The service started a couple minutes after two o’clock, with Heather Southam (Celebrant) welcoming the crowd and joined the room in prayer, followed by Martha’s favourite passages.
Martha’s daughter Terrie Moore spoke on the many encounters she had with her mom in town while walking in Sooke. Many locals and even those from out of Sooke knew of her and would go out of their way to say hello. Terrie spoke on her mother’s colourful career, going from farmland work, to military work (airforce accountant clerk), Sunday School teacher, home support worker, and tons of volunteer work.
Terrie concluded her speech: “By example, Mum taught us the importance of friends and family, her door was always open and coffee was always on, and I think that’s a great way to live this life.”
Martha’s son Bill spoke next. Life growing up for Martha on a farm including tending and caring for animals, like her prize winning Angus cows. Losing her own mom when she was 15, Martha was given the opportunity to choose: either continue to live on the farm with dad, or move in with her aunt and uncle. She decided to stay on the farm and it blossomed her into the independent woman she became. Said Bill: “Mum had a strong Christian faith… ‘I count my blessings, and when I count my blessings I have no room for anything else.'” He will miss the aroma of her baked goods, her laughter, and her practicality and love for people no matter who they are. Bill remembered, “Mum taught me how to live a rich life, without money.”
Don Rugg (second cousin) spoke on positive memories with Martha. Don was much younger, Martha joked many times about babysitting him. The first time meeting her as a 5 or 6 year old boy, he still remembers her being that “beautiful woman in blue.” Enthralled at the time how Martha could fly (as she was in the air force) “everywhere, while [Don] was so grounded living on the farm.” He recalls the lemon meringue pie she is known for, joking he’s now the third of them to mention it. Along with her wonderful volunteer work baking buns and preparing meals for Meals on Wheels.
Religious songs were sung by Mary Day, Eric Day and Pearl Lacey, followed by two of Martha’s original songs, one about “Drifting from the Shore,” and the other being a lovely homage to Mother Nature and how she takes care of her own. I enjoyed listening to them, clever lyrics and the symbolism behind the song paints a picture as you listen.
Friends and family of Martha’s were encouraged to share their beloved stories. Some joked about Martha’s habit of calling others ‘smart aleck’ and her incredible comebacks, whether instantaneous or perfectly timed. A long time friend said she met Martha at a 50/50 raffle and ended up learning to make fudge! What a sweet memory.
Reverend Al spoke on the welcome he received from Martha when he and his wife first moved here. “Welcome to Sooke! The most welcoming place in Canada,” she had said.
Martha helped out with gifts and charitable donations, such as socks, food and clothing for his homeless cause and himself over the 30 years they knew one another. Rev. Al ended with, “She leaves a great flame, she hands us a flame. The flame of welcoming.”
Linda Fisk spoke of her appreciation for Martha and her commitment to the 50/50 raffle. Linda shared a funny story of Martha falling through the chair seat, laughed forever about it and used to always bring it up with Linda.
Roseanne spoke on Martha’s love and friendship over the 27 years they had known one another. She recalled her generosity, honesty, strength and trustworthiness, along with the huge sense of humour that carried Martha through her life. “[Martha’s] biggest role in my life? She helped me function through grief.” Tears were flowing on both sides of the microphone. Roseanne shared her gratitude while being very raw and open with her emotional grief, stating she still spoke out regardless of those feelings almost holding her back. Reminiscing to when they played crib, “I meant every word, even though you were brutal when we played crib… I love you, friend.”
Patricia Henley spoke for one of their guiding sisters who wasn’t able to attend at the hall. Shauna’s letter began with applauding Martha for being a pillar in her community. Her love of baking is what led her to helping out so much in her community. Christine Ellen spoke on her how Martha encouraged her to get her daughter into brownies, which then got Christine into Guiding along with Martha, as Martha was very active in the Guiding community. Christine then spoke on the prank war that broke out between the two at camp, leading to hilarious memories of frozen undies and bras.
Martha spent some of her last time in residential care at Ayre Manor Lodge in Sooke, where she had made friends with everyone.
The two-hour service concluded with a lovely closing message by Heather Southam again, citing Martha’s passion for her religion and the strength she drew from her favourite psalms. ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ was sung by the hall in memory of Martha. Blessings were shared between everyone and the sing a long ‘Girl Guides Taps’ finished the service with many people looking melancholic but overall content with the beautiful service that Martha most certainly deserved.
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SOOKE NOTES: Remembering Martha Moore (1933-2019) ~ by Mary P Brooke (May 17, 2019)