Obituaries

From the Barbara Westover Family, Lana, Ron, Lauri, Scott & Bruce...
We are heartbroken to share that our sweet, caring mother passed away Wednesday, June 5. We know she touched so many people's lives. We would appreciate reading any memories you have of her in the comments.

Barbara R. Westover (McPhee), age 87, of St. Ignace, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. She was born on June 15, 1936, to Ronald & Virginia McPhee. She graduated from LaSalle High school in 1954.

Barb was a Head Start Teacher for many years. She then went on to work for the City of St. Ignace as a secretary in Water Dept. until her retirement. She and her fellow supervisor and wonderful friend, Rene Vonderworth, helped plan many 4th of July parades following in the steps of Ruby Godreau. She was also the parade honoree for a couple of years during this time.

Barb loved taking care of her yard. It was always so beautiful, largely due to the help of her son, Scott. She was happy when changing the color of the shutters on her house to bright and beautiful colors. She loved how total strangers would stop and comment on how cute her home was.

Barb spent many years making beautiful ceramics, setting up her own little shop in the back of her garage. She made each of her children & grandchildren a Christmas Tree, as well as many other family members and friends.

She was a permanent fixture at Brenda's Bentley’s Cafe. On days she could not get there, Brenda would arrange to get a little something over to her, including a piece of cherry rhubarb pie dropped off by the UPS driver, Jeff!

Barb loved to shop, in store & online!!! Some days the UPS driver would deliver her packages only to pick them up a few days later to return them. She was always changing her mind. She loved to shop at the big stores when she would visit her children Lana, Lauri & Bruce in Minnesota. She loved spending hours in a store!

She always looked forward to going out on Fridays for a fish fry & a glass of wine with Ron & Pam.

She was the best Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma & Sister. She was very proud of her family. She loved to have family & friends visit, especially for Car Show weekend. She always made sure there was plenty of food for everyone...enough for an army! She loved to entertain!

Barb loved to visit with all her friends. In later years she would sneak around being the chauffeur for her lady friends so they could go have coffee, despite her family asking her not to drive.

Although she did not want to go to Long Term Care, she adjusted quickly due to the amazing care and compassion of the staff at Evergreen Living. They function like a family and every one of them was wonderful to her. She found many friends among other residents and always found ways to include them. She loved participating in all the activities, always looking forward to Bingo!!

Barbara is survived by her children, Lana Boever (Steve), Ronald Taylor (Pam), Lauri Taylor, Scott Taylor & Bruce Westover (Julie); twelve grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Bucky McPhee; sister, Kay Montcalm (Bob); and several nieces & nephews.

Barb was proceeded in death by her sister-in-law, Roberta McPhee, and husband, Lee Westover.

A Graveside Service will be on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 2:15 PM at St Ignatius Catholic Cemetery in St. Ignace. A Celebration of Life will be held afterwards at Johnnie's on US-2 from 4-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Evergreen Living Center Activity Fund - 1140 N. State Street, Building B, St. Ignace, MI 49781.

Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.