Some people’s love acts as the heart of a family. For us, that person was Martha.
Martha Elvira Lack was born as Martha Elvira Moran in Guayaquil, Ecuador on July 23, 1967, and from the start, she was unstoppable. She came to Canada at the age of nine, small in stature but already bursting with spirit. That never changed. Standing at 4 foot 9, she somehow managed to be the largest presence in every room she walked into. Yet, she always claimed to be 4 foot 11. Her husband Robert believed her for years. It might have been that Martha only measured her height while wearing high heels because those were often the only shoes or boots she wore-even during one memorable quest for a Christmas tree in a snowy field! She was also definitely the only coach in her son’s soccer league who showed up in high heels.
Martha met Robert back in high school in Etobicoke; though if you ask her, she’d say she found him first-and they became partners from that moment on. They shared more than forty years together-a lifetime filled with adventures, laughter, late-night talks around the kitchen table, and unconditional love.
Her biggest pride and joy were her children. Christina, born in 1998, and Matthew, born in 2004 were everything to her. She invested all of herself into them-her strength, expectations, fierce protection and belief that they could achieve anything they set their minds to. But Martha’s heart had room for more than just two kids; she became a second mother to her nieces Rachael and Melissa and nephew Eric who lived with them for many years. She guided them with the same fierce love and care as her own children.
If you were one of Martha’s kids-by birth or by circumstance-you felt it without question. You were always safe, never alone; you were loved.
That same unstoppable energy helped fuel her long career in retail marketing. Most of her time was spent at Hudson’s Bay Company before moving on to Sobeys and then Staples. Martha truly made an impact-sharp-minded, creative and impossible not to notice. She got things done; she helped others grow; she strengthened teams.
Then there was Christmas-Martha didn’t just celebrate it; she brought it to life like an artist does with colors and paints while keeping a childlike wonder at heart. Her home turned into a holiday haven for family gatherings over decades on Christmas Eve. Every year her Christmas tree looked like something out of a movie-with perfectly coordinated color themes that changed annually. The lights twinkled bright alongside music playing softly amid delicious food and joyful laughter-all infused with her unique touch.
Martha leaves behind family members who will miss her dearly: her mother Maria, father Miguel Sr., step-mother-in-law Morag (David), brothers Miguel (Crystal), Louis, 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, and step-father-in-law Sheldon. She also lost Susan , her best friend , who accompanied many wild adventures throughout their lives.
And let’s not forget about the pets-she adored Hunter, Luna, and Apollo who stayed close by through thick and thin.
Above all else, Martha leaves behind a legacy as someone who lived life fully, loved fiercely, did everything possible to protect those around her-and brightened every room simply by being herself.
Though small physically, she truly lived large. Loving deeply mattered greatly-to everyone touched by Martha-and always will be remembered fondly.
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