Winnifred Eleanor Martelle

December 5, 1922 - September 22, 2016

Winnifred Eleanor Martelle, 93, peacefully passed in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her loving family and friends, on Thursday September 22nd, 2016 at 8 a.m. in Arizona. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11am at: the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 1053 E. Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, MI, with lunch to follow at First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave, St Joseph, MI. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net. Winnifred was born on December 5th, 1922 to Fred and Ella Albrecht (Wickman) and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest of three children. She played the piano, organ, and violin and enjoyed ice skating and horseback riding with her favorite Aunt Eleanor. Winnifred graduated from high school in Chicago (1938). Thereafter, she married Milton Glickman with whom she had 2 wonderful children, Martin and Harriet. Winnifred and Milton raised their children together until his death in the early 1950's. Winnifred moved to Michigan and spent several years raising her children alone until she met and married Robert Eugene Martelle in 1958. Subsequently, Robert adopted Martin and Harriet and raised them as his own while enjoying 53 beautiful years of marriage to Winnifred. They enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan and tending to their rose gardens together. Winnifred participated in the Venetian Festival Boat Parade for many years. Her family and friends decorated boats to showcase the beauty of the area in which she lived. Winnifred was also a life-long member of The Eastern Stars. After retirement, Winnifred traveled the country with her husband. She loved to travel and see new things. They spent many years pulling their travel trailer around the country, "enjoying this beautiful land and all the natural glory it offers". Winnifred lived a full life, packed with adventure, joy, family, friends and love. Winnifred is survived by her son, Martin Martelle (Pat); her granddaughter, Kimberly Fancher-Tribble (Nathan); her great-granddaughter, Danielle Jacobsen (Eric); her great-grandson, Jade Fancher (Ayla); her great-granddaughter, Bailee Tribble; and her two beautiful great-great grandchildren, Trinity and Xander Jacobsen. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Gatchell of Sodus, Michigan; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She dearly adored and enjoyed the constant companionship of our family dogs, Sampson and Kona. Winnifred Martelle was preceded in death by her daughter, Harriet Martelle in 1989; her husband, Robert Eugene Martelle in 2011; as well as her younger brother, Fred Albrecht.