Florence Goldie Martin

Obituary Florence Goldie Martin, 90, of Fort Collins, CO died on July 1, 2013 at Clare Bridge Care Center in Fort Collins. Florence was born in Nibbie, Montana to Albert and Margaret Bidmead on October 23, 1922. Soon after her birth the family moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where Florence grew up and was orphaned at a young age. She married Paul J. Nichwander in Helena Montana, in 1940. He is deceased. In addition, she was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. She later married Joseph Townsend who is also deceased. On April 4, 1992 she married Ted Martin in Fort Collins, CO. Florence was a very active woman all of her life. She was a telephone operator and manager for the Mountain Bell Telephone Co until her retirement. She loved the outdoors and spent countless hours hiking in the highest mountains in the U.S., cross country skiing and golfing. When she was not able to be outdoors, she enjoyed bowling and worked in her home studio where she was an accomplished artist making ceramics. Her family fondly recalls that her greatest accomplishment was her ability to make friends everywhere she went due to her infectious smile. Florence was raised in the Episcopal Church and converted to the Roman Catholic Church as an adult. Survivors include her husband, Ted, son Paul (Julie) Nichwander of Camarillo, CA, daughters Margaret (Michael) Cazedessus of Santa Rosa, CA and Jacque (Donald) Swearingen of Bella Vista, AR, brother Richard (Suzanne) Bidmead of Helena, MT, step-daughter Wendy (Ron) Wood of Vernal, UT, and step-son John (Sonia) Townsend of Bountiful, UT, including her 26 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. When she married Ted 21 years ago, Florence had no idea she would be so dearly loved by all of his children: Janice (Steve) Jenkins, Betty (Ralph) Thomm, Connie (Kirby) Clarke, Marilyn Martin, Karolyn Dawson, Jean Anne (George) Bemis, Patty (Charles) Green, Jim (Ginger) Martin, Nancy (Jeff) Lungren, Terri (Jim) Hurst, and Dan (Karen) Martin, as well as his 25 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Initially, she was likely overwhelmed by such a large family but graciously accepted all with her kindness, humor, and endless hospitality. Florence and Ted both loved to travel and they enjoyed many memorable excursions during their marriage. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, July 5, 2013 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church followed at 9:30 with the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow the mass at Resthaven Memorial Park in Fort Collins. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of the Vessey Funeral Service, 2649 E. Mulberry St, A-1, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Florence Goldie Martin