It is with heavy, yet grateful hearts that we announce the passing of our dear Mom, Catherine ‘Kay’ Martin, beloved wife of the late Dale Martin Sr., in the wee hours of the morning on June 25, 2025 at the age of 90 years. Mom was a true lady until the very end.

Mom was born on December 13, 1934 in Kinkaid Saskatchewan to Michael and Della Mae Salmon. They moved to Spring Coulee before settling in Granum, Alberta. Mom was always proud of her Granum heritage. Every time we would pass the little town Mom would proudly boast of her family owning the Alberta Hotel. Later Mom moved to Lethbridge and was able to attend and graduate from St. Joseph’s High School. She was excited to be able to attend a Catholic School as her Catholic faith was extremely important to her. We remember Mom complaining about some of the students being unkind to the nun instructors. This was devastating for her, and she would always come to the Nun’s defense.

Following high school, Mom worked at CJOC Radio. It was here that a strapping young man spotted her and had to make her his wife. On June 2, 1956 Dale and Kay were married and went on to build a family together. Grounded in love, and service to community, Dale and Kay bought Martin Brothers Ltd. from Dale’s dad and uncle, Ben and Harry and later from his brother Derek. They worked hard to build a funeral home that would meet the needs of families in Lethbridge and surrounding areas. It was a calling for them.

Independently, Mom was involved in several service groups. She was a member of both Ladies Hospital Auxiliaries (Municipal and St. Michael’s), Beta Sigma Phi, and the Parish Council of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. Mom also sang joyfully in both the St. Patrick’s and All Saint’s Parish church choirs. From a young age, Mom discovered her love of music, which carried throughout her life.

In retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed travel. They cruised to many different countries, but their favorite spot to settle was in Sun City, Arizona where they would enjoy the sun and loved happy hours with friends. There was always a glass of wine or a Harvey Wallbanger for anyone who came by. Mom loved her pool in the desert. She loved bird watching, trimming her rose bushes but most of all she loved her fruit trees. Whenever we went to visit, Mom would wake us up with glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice with a couple cubes of ice to make it cold.

Mom and Dad also loved their time at the cottage in Waterton Lakes National Park. Mom loved to pack a lunch for us as we would head out for a day on the lake, often heading down to Goat Haunt south of the border. As a spouse to a Rotarian, every year Rotarians would gather either in Waterton or in Glacier National Park and celebrate our unity between the two countries, “Hands across the border”.

Dale and Kay were blessed with three children, Elizabeth (Gordon) Jong, Dale (Colleen) Martin Jr., and Catherine (Brian) Weersink; grandchildren Terrah Jong, Christopher (Carla) Jong, Will Martin, Jack Martin, Adam (Rhiece) Weersink, Austin (Amanda) Weersink, Arik Weersink; great grandchildren Grayson and Aubrey Jong and the latest addition Oliver Weersink; as well as numerous extended family.

Besides her loving husband Dale Martin Sr., Kay is predeceased by her parents Michael and Della Mae Salmon; siblings Jessalyn (Woody) Anderson, Jean Lemiski, Maxine Deringer and James “Jimmy” Salmon.

Mom has been waiting for God to call her. She often asked, "Has God forgotten me?" No God has not forgotten you Mom. He has been waiting for the right time. Your time has come Mom. Now, go sing with the angels.

A Vigil Rights/Prayer Service will be held at 7:00pm, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery

For those who wish, memorial donations in Kay’s name may be made to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, for the Cardiac Centre of Excellence.