Bedford loses two of its finest- Bedford Sackville Weekly (20/03/08)

In a short span of two weeks, Bedford lost a great councillor and a renown historian. On Feb. 10, Coun. Gary Martin passed away after a five-year struggle with cancer, and on Feb. 23, well-known Bedford historian Marion Christie, often referred to fondly as Bedford's matriarch, died at the wonderful age of 101.

It is difficult for those of us who had our lives touched by these incredible individuals to envision our community without them. Gary elected to Halifax Regional Council in August of 2006, was the embodiment of everything that most of us could only hope to be. His approach to life, even in the face of death, was always positive. In his volunteer life he injected an indescribable enthusiasm into all that he touched and in his professional life, both as a police officer and later as coordinator of HRM's community response initiative, was always "Mr. Can Do." Gary never knew the meaning of impossible!

We can talk ad infinitum about Gary's accomplishments in life, but there are those personal experiences that define the man. Last Remembrance Day is one such time. For the past number of years as former councillor, I have taken on the responsibility for providing the sound system at Fish Hatchery Park for the Bedford Legion Remembrance Day event. Nov. 11, 2007 dawned cold and damp following a heavy rain. Gary was soldiering through some very painful and nauseating cancer treatment. I had told the councillor that we would look after the setup/tear down for this year's event. As I arrived at Gary's house around 7 a.m. to pick up the sound equipment, there were Gary and his wife Darlene in the truck, ready to go. He was frail and feeling ill from cancer therapy, but we couldn't stop him, nor could Darlene! Gary somehow made it through the long setup and the entire ceremony. He possessed a passion for life that most of us could only aspire to. Through it all, there was no complaining or self pity; just a councillor doing his job!

Marion Christie at 101 (102 on April 5) was the resident historian for Scott Manor House in Bedford. A prolific writer, Marion and her late husband George had written numerous manuscripts outlining Bedford's past. Her memory was clear and crisp and her ability to recount stories from her childhood made it feel like it happened yesterday.

Marion had a zest for life, and it was always evident in the pride she carried for her family. Over the century, she was a great community volunteer and was honoured as Bedford's Volunteer of the Year in 1986. In her professional life, she was a teacher and a newspaper journalist, which honed her love of writing.

I remember well the day her reading room at Scott Manor House was dedicated. Nearing 100 at the time, she spoke and looked like a lady 20 years younger. Today, that room carries her name and honours her wonderful legacy. Marion may be gone, but she remains with us through her writing and extensive video/audio archives maintained by the Fort Sackville Foundation.

Gary and Marion have accomplished their goal in community life; to make Bedford a better place to live for those following in their footsteps. Few have impacted my life like Gary; few will leave a historical legacy like Marion. To both families, you can be proud that present and future generations will not forget them.