Pometia Martin

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Pometia Martin (née Nairn), who died peacefully in Barrie, Ontario on April 8, 2026, at the age of 78. Pometia was a woman of great intelligence, complexity, and depth—someone who could not be easily defined, and who continued to reveal new facets of herself to those who knew and loved her.

Pometia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Hugh Allen Martin (2013), her sister, Leeshka Nairn-Gomes (2002), her parents Donald (1973) and Jean Nairn (née Ometuck, 1972). She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Rachel, and Sarah Martin (Patrick Girard); her grandson, Justin Martin, who was truly the light of her life; her sister, Janissa Nairn Smith Williams; and her nephews Williams, Jordan and Nicholas.

Born in Peterborough, Ontario Pometia’s early years were shaped by many family moves and consistent change, with formative time spent in Winnipeg and Toronto. She settled in London, Ontario, where she attended Western University and earned a degree in English Literature. It was there that she met Hugh, whom she married in 1975. Together they built a life first in London, and later in Sudbury, where they moved to be closer to Hugh’s aging father, Loring Martin, and to raise their family.

Pometia worked in a variety of jobs, most notably in journalism for The Sudbury Star, before devoting herself fully to raising her daughters. She was a dedicated volunteer, helping to establish school reading programs and parent-teacher initiatives, as well as giving her time to organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Sudbury SPCA. She took great pride in creating a joyful, safe space for her daughters and their friends to gather and express themselves, even in her more difficult seasons.

Pometia was a creative soul, a polymath with an insatiable curiosity for learning, and a lifelong lover of the arts. Pom and Hugh were both avid readers and cinephiles. An artist in her own right, Pom worked primarily in textiles while also exploring drawing, painting and enjoyed being the family photographer. Inspired by her daughters, she embraced new creative pursuits throughout her life, including dance and piano lessons and continued further education, beginning her Master’s in Psychology at Laurentien University as a student in her 50’s. She was a passionate gardener and cherished summers spent with her family at their cottage on the French River, always encouraging her family to spend time outdoors and in nature.

Although in her later years, Pometia faced significant health challenges, she remained a vivid and memorable presence—quick-witted, perceptive, and often disarmingly funny. After Hugh’s passing and her own battle with cancer, she later moved to Barrie, where she lived with her daughter Rachel, then eventually made her home at Victoria Village Manor. There, she spent her final years receiving compassionate care and enjoying precious time with her daughters and grandson. She will be missed.