Some people anchor their families with love, and for us, that was Martha.
Martha Elvira Lack, born as Martha Elvira Moran in Guayaquil, Ecuador on July 23, 1967, was a true force of nature. She moved to Canada at the age of nine, small in stature but already full of life. At just 4 foot 9 inches tall, she somehow filled every room she walked into. Yet, she always insisted she stood at 4 foot 11. Her husband Robert believed her for many years; perhaps it was because she only measured while wearing high heels-which were a staple in her wardrobe-even during one memorable quest for a Christmas tree in a snowy field. She also proudly wore high heels as the only coach in her son’s soccer league.
Martha met Robert in high school in Etobicoke; according to her story, it was her who found him. From that moment on, they became partners. They shared more than forty years together-a lifetime packed with adventures, laughter around the kitchen table, and unconditional love.
Her children were everything to her. Christina, born in 1998, and Matthew, born in 2004, were truly the center of her world. She invested all her energy into them-her strength, expectations, fierce protection-and believed wholeheartedly that they could achieve anything. But Martha’s big heart didn’t stop there; she became a second mother to her nieces Racael and Melissa and nephew Eric when he lived with them for several years. She guided and loved them just as fiercely as she did her own kids.
If you were considered one of Martha’s kids-by blood or by chance-you felt it deeply. You were always safe and loved.
This same unstoppable spirit fueled a long and successful career in retail marketing. Most of her professional journey took place at the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company before moving on to Sobeys and then Staples. Martha had an undeniable presence-sharp-minded, creative, brave-and impossible to ignore. She made things happen; she uplifted others; she strengthened teams.
Then there was Christmas-it wasn’t just a holiday for Martha but rather an entire season filled with joy that she crafted like an artist would paint. For decades, her home served as the family’s Christmas Eve gathering place where everything sparkled with joy-the decorations perfectly coordinated each year-the lights twinkling alongside music and laughter-all infused with her special touch.
Martha leaves behind family members who will feel lost without her: her mother Maria; father Miguel Sr.; step-mother-in-law Morag (David); brothers Miguel (Crystal), Louis, and Daniel (Kelly); half-brother Miguel (Corina); sister-in-law Yolanda (Tim); brother-in-law Simon (Karen); along with numerous nieces and nephews-Nick, Thomas, Jaclyn, Daniel, Alexandra Cierra, Liam Luccas Christopher Crystal and Ginger. She is predeceased by mother-in-law Blanca; father-in-law Kelvin; step-father-in-law Sheldon; as well as Susan-her best friend who joined her on countless wild adventures over the years.
And we can’t forget about the cherished cats-Hunter, Luna, and Apollo-who never strayed far from her side.
More than anything else, Martha leaves behind memories of a woman who lived fully, loved fiercely, and protected those close to her like a lioness while brightening every space simply by being herself.
Though small in height, she lived life large. Loved big. Mattered immensely. And will continue to do so forever.
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