Cynthia “Cindy” Lee Ellman Martinez, 57, passed away on Feb. 21, 2014, at her residence in Kalispell, after a long, brave battle with brain cancer.

She was born Sept. 17, 1956, in Kalispell to Raymond and Sarah Ellman. She was the third child of seven children who were all raised on the banks of the Flathead River in Columbia Falls.

She spent her final weeks at home surrounded by the love and care of her daughter, sisters and extended family and friends.

Cindy's family always enjoyed the Western lifestyle. She loved dancing to country music, riding horses and ranching.

Cindy started grade school in Hungry Horse and finished in Columbia Falls, graduating in 1975. She attended Kinman Business College in Spokane where she graduated with a medical secretary associate's degree.

On Dec. 24, 1985, the joy of her life, Brittany Lee Ellman, was born. On Jan. 7, 1989, she married Candido Martinez. Together they worked for numerous ranches. In 1989 they worked for the Grosswiler Dairy and Lost Trail Ranch in the Flathead Valley. In 1993, they moved to St. Ignatius and worked at the AA Ranch. In 2001, they took a job managing the 7 X Ranch in Hotchkiss, Colo. Cindy loved the ranch life where she made many good friends and fond memories.

In 2006, Cindy and Brittany moved back to Kalispell where she enjoyed being with her brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

Cindy was a Christian and loved the Lord. She attended Grace Church.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Ellman and Sarah Ellman McManus; and grandparents, John and Barbara Ellman, and Burl and Ragna Drollinger.

Cindy is survived by her daughter, Brittney Ellman Lilley, and husband, Willard, of Kalispell; four brothers, Dan Ellman and wife Kate of Columbia Falls, Richard Ellman of Kalispell, Tim Ellman and wife Patty of Billings, and Paul Ellman and wife Julie of Kalispell; two sisters; Sheila Morin and husband Doug of Kalispell, and Jane Leatherberry and husband Jim of Buckeye, Ariz.; and special friend, Bill Smith. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and two generations of nieces and nephews that she loved to be around.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, at Grace Church, 1225 Highway 93 North, Kalispell, with a reception following.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Cindy's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Cindy's tribute wall.