Rosemary Anne (Austin) Best

August 10, 1936 - November 28, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rosemary Best on Friday, November 28, 2025, in her 90th year, at Albright Manor in Beamsville.

Rosemary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jim Best (2023). She was the cherished mother of Leslie McLeod (Dennis), Howard Best (Cyndy), Greg Best (Beth), and Matt Best. Loving grandmother of Dan McLeod, Matthew McLeod (Nicole), Stephen McLeod (Ashley), Robyn Petryshyn (Bryan), James Best, Stephanie Jackson (Jason), Erica Best (Nick), Bradley Best (Alexandra), and Jaelyn Best. Proud great-grandmother of Nova Rose McLeod, Ayla McLeod, Avery McLeod, Jennie McLeod, Elyse Petryshyn, Colby Petryshyn, and Alexis Rose Jackson.

She was predeceased by her parents Miriam “May” (1999) and Leslie Austin (1997), sister Carole Ford (2016), brother-in-law Jim Ford (2023), nephew Kenneth Ford (1981), brother Edward “Ted” Austin (2020), sister-in-law Carol Austin (2021), nephew William “Bill” Austin (2017), sister Shirley Hammer (2022), brother-in-law Gordon “Sonny” Hammer (2020), sister Nancy Dayman (2025), brother-in-law Fred Dayman (2025), brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Best (2019) (Marilyn), brother-in-law Charlie Best (2021), and sister-in-law Marian Proctor (2016). She will be deeply missed by her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Born and raised in St. Catharines, and later settling in Fenwick, Rosemary devoted her career to the District School Board of Niagara, where she joyfully shared her love of history and music with her students. In retirement, she embraced life fully—travelling to England many times, walking the family dogs (Rambo, Gil, and Callie) with Jim on the Haist farm, singing in the choir at Pelham Community Church, meeting with the “girls” for card club, enjoying morning coffee with friends at the Grill on Canboro, gathering with the “Jim Club,” knitting, reading, playing the piano, and most of all, spending treasured time with her family.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Albright Manor for the care and compassion they provided Rosemary.

In keeping with Rosemary’s wishes, cremation has taken place through Hetherington & Deans Funeral Chapel (905-354-5614). Donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara Region, or the Niagara SPCA. To share a memory or story, please visit www.hetheringtonanddeans.com.