Betty Anne Westover passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 71 years old.
Mom was born on February 3, 1955, to Milton and Johanna “Anne” Westover. The oldest of five children, Mom grew up on the family farm and homestead north of Barwick, never too far from her Dad’s heels, and soaking in every bit of wisdom she could from her Grandma “Maw.” The values, lessons and work ethic essential to life on the farm were woven into every fibre of Mom’s being, serving her well throughout her life.
Mom grew into a headstrong woman with grit and resilience that were unmatched. If you wanted to see the limits of one woman’s capabilities, all you had to do was challenge her on anything. Her valiant battle against her failing health the past three years was her final and most impressive display of what she could do if she put her mind to something—just to prove a point to anyone who might be watching (mostly, her children). Aside from that competitive spirit, Mom was motivated by her family, sharing that she hoped to be around as long as possible for her younger grandchildren. With a new one being born each year, however, this proved to be too great a challenge for even Mom.
She held numerous jobs over the years, many of them simultaneously. Notably, in the late ‘80’s, pregnant and with small children, Mom helped in any way she was able to establish and successfully operate the Barwick Restaurant with her husband. Mom’s work ethic and dedication was probably most obvious over the 30 years that she spent at Cloverleaf Grocery. Driven by her philosophy of putting everything you’ve got into everything you do, Mom prided herself on learning the needs of her regular customers so well that she often knew when they were running low on milk before they did.
Mom’s passions were simple. She never met an antique she didn’t fall in love with. She loved any music “with a good beat”— catching her dancing down a vacant grocery store aisle is a scene many of us will remember with a smile. And lastly, supporting her community and its members was a fundamental part of her being. In the 80’s and 90’s Mom was part of a dedicated team of friends and neighbours (forming the Chapple Recreation Committee) who were responsible for developing and safeguarding many of the community structures and green spaces that make Barwick so warm and inviting still today. Her undying support for her community and its members was on full display any time she organized and worked an infamous Barwick dance, operated a canteen or prepared a meal for community events or discreetly covered the grocery bill for a friend or customer who was hard on their luck that month.
Of all the ways Mom showed up for her community, however, none of them compares to her loyalty for the Rainy River District Fastball League. Words cannot explain how much her presence will be missed at Tuesday and Thursday night games (especially by the umpires…). The Barwick Blue Knights may never have a louder cheerleader or harsher critic than Mom.
Teaching her children and their kids how to be independent and to stay grounded was important to Mom. Her approach to child-rearing centred on keeping everyone humble, never letting anyone feel sorry for themselves and to let us all make our own mistakes, even if it resulted in mild injury because that was the only way to ensure “they’ll only do it once.” A master at finding the smallest of silver linings and a woman who had all her blessings counted, she wasn’t the mother you went to for sympathy, but the one who could always offer a bit of perspective (even if harsh at times) and a reminder that things could always be worse.
Over the years Mom endured many heartbreaks, mourning the loss of loved ones including her grandparents (Edna and Roy Westover); parents; her infant son Cameron; spouse Randy Brannan; brother-in-law Greg Wilson; and her son-in-law Jeffery Brown.
Her legacy will live on in those who loved and respected her dearly, including her children Tracy (Pat), Vaughan (Destiny), Laura (Jeff) and Trisha (Allan); her grandchildren Brandan (Kelsey), Jaxon (Katelyn), Hunter (Chelsea), Paige (Joey), Logan (Molly), Ryder, Addison, Layne, Cameron, Winnie, River, and a baby girl due in January 2027; great-grandchildren Ava, William, Oliver, Milton and a baby due in April 2027; her brothers Clifford (Susan), Richard (Christine); the fathers of her children Brian Nielson and Ken Wilson; and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
As a family we would like to thank Mom’s friends, family and special neighbours who graciously supported and comforted her over the past few years. Her final days were made peaceful by the caring staff at La Verandrye Hospital, including nurses Alyssa, Rachel and Hannah, and Dr. Gustafson.
As per her wishes, Mom was cremated and internment and celebration will happen at a later date. If you’d like to honour Mom in your own way, we ask that you find a way to do a good deed for a friend, neighbour or stranger without any expectation for praise or reciprocation. On that sentiment alone Mom would feel she had accomplished what she came to this world to do.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
