Sibylle Elfriede Martin – Born 1945 Radebeul Germany.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful Mom, Sibylle Elfriede Martin (nee Dittrich) after a short illness on February 9th, 2026.

“Sebbi”, “Tante Bia”, “Mumsy Wumsy”, “the Mommikins” was a proud Oakvillian - arriving in 1958 after escaping East Germany with her parents Helmut & Margeret Dittrich and sister Elke Lesich (all predeceased). She lost her birth mother Elfriede Koppel at the age of 4 in 1949. In 1968, she married Richard John Martin (1943-1990) who adored her and died way too young.

Mom loved life just as much as she loved worrying about life. She was immensely curious about the world, ferociously steadfast on her opinions and possessed an often purposefully disguised, razor-sharp intellect that caught most off-guard.

Mom was extremely creative, possessing that unique artist sensibility to look at life a little off kilter. Curating her beloved spaces, indoors and out, with magical whimsy coupled with a chic modern flair. Every corner you turned in the garden, in the house or her cherished cabin on the French River had a story, evoked emotion and was infused with her personality. To witness her spaces was to know her, in all her quirky glory.

Mom was also a wizard with numbers. She negotiated financing to build her own home, which she designed, at the age of 23. And while shrewd in finance and possessing a photographic memory of every receipt, she was always very generous. Charitable, a big tipper, and as many of you would know - one that would slap your hand away from the bill.

She loved us and whilst cheering us on from opening curtain to poolside, from the top of the slopes or the mash pit, or at the endless football, hockey, soccer and baseball practices - she also taught us how to be strong, to stand up for ourselves with conviction, to see the world with humility and to be fiercely independent.

Mom cracked herself up, craved everything potato, fell out of cherry trees, exhausted herself working endlessly in the garden (8 hours straight at 79!), adored Roger Federer, laughed with a snort, drove with the top down blaring Meatloaf, championed the underdog, swept a mean acorn, caught the biggest fish, revered perfectionism, read voraciously, rocked a cute hat, danced with passion, never left without lipstick, listened to music full blast, got down with a good conspiracy, loved nature and all her backyard ravine animals. Well with the exception of the squirrels. Nobody’s perfect.

She was gorgeous, hilarious and OMG strong - and above all else - was so classy with a little twinkle, smile and tilt of her head.

She would be very pissed off she is gone.

Mom will be missed greatly by her nephews, nieces and in-laws from the Lesich and Martin families, her loving cousin Hilke (David) Shaban, her great friends Ron and Doreen White and all the other super friends, kiddos, and passerby’s that came into her fabulous orbit and shared their life moments with her.

She is survived by her two children, Cristine and Paul Martin who are gutted.

In lieu of flowers – a memorial donation to World Wildlife Fund Canada, The Canadian Stage or The Royal Conservatory of Music is greatly appreciated.