Obituary of Barbara Ann Westover

Barbara Westover, 61, went home to be with her Lord and Savior December 10, 2008 soon after spending a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with her entire family. The strong love and devotion of her children and family members granted Barbara a longer than expected life after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born August 25, 1947 in Akron, she resided in Kenmore most of her life. She was a 1965 graduate of Garfield High School and attended both St. John the Baptist and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches. Barbara is survived by her parents, Stephen and Ann Burskey; daughters, Lori Westover and Lisa (Scott) Smith; son, Larry Westover (Jennifer Thesing); and sister, Becky Burskey. She also leaved five of her favorite things, her grandchildren, Justin, Audrey, Brandon, Andrew and Ryan. Barbara was a very devoted daughter, mother, sister and grandmother. She was constantly concerned about the well being of others, always putting their needs before hers. Barbara loved and took pleasure in the simple things in life. She enjoyed family gatherings, babysitting her grandchildren and helping them with homework. In her home she always got a kick out of putting up new pictures of the family so she could have a constant reminder of them being with her when they could not be. One of the things she loved was collecting items that made her laugh or smile and that mostly included many kinds of frogs and koala bears and angels. She enjoyed getting flowers and plants, chatting with the neighbors and watching movies with her grandchildren. Barbara also devoted much of her time to her two dogs, Shadow and Haley, which she finally admitted to spoiling. She will be missed by all her family, including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, neighbors, many friends and her adorable pet pooches. A gathering of family and friends will be held Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. (PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS) in Akron. A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, December 15, 2008 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Corner of 16th St. & Battles Ave.) in Akron. Fr. Michael B. Smith officiating. A very gracious thank you from the family is extended to the Parkview Cancer Center at Barberton Citizens Hospital, Dr. Scarcella, Dr. Hazra and all the wonderful assistants in both offices, and for the tender and loving care Barbara received from Summa (Akron City Hospital) Hospice Center staff. Also, a special thank you goes to Cindy at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens where Barbara will be laid to rest. (Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com)