Betty Ann Westra, 93, of Newton, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on October 9, 2026. Born April 5, 1933, Betty was a lifelong Sussex County resident—born in the Swartswood Park section of Stillwater Township, growing up in Green Township, and carrying that steady sense of home with her throughout her life.
Betty’s life was shaped by devotion—to family, to community, and to the daily work that keeps a household and a business running. Hard-working in the truest sense, she brought care and constancy to everything she did, and she was deeply beloved by those fortunate enough to know her well.
On September 27, 1952, Betty married the love of her life, Ewald Westra, a romance that began in the years of grammar school and continued through a lifetime together. Side by side, they raised four children and operated the family business, Ewald Westra Mason Contractor at 1 Mackerley Road in Green Township, where Betty served as the bookkeeper—reliable and central to the work they built together. In addition to her role in the family business, she also worked during the holidays at Montgomery Ward, owned by friends, Dick and Alice Jones.
Betty found joy in the simple, meaningful rhythms of life. She loved crocheting and reading, and she especially treasured time spent visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas brought out a special warmth in her—one remembered in the tradition of baking Christmas cookies. She also cherished long conversations, including her memorable two-to-three-hour phone calls with her lifelong friend, Rhoda Segal.
A faithful presence in her community, Betty was a member of Tranquility United Methodist Church and a former member of the Green Township PTA.
Betty was predeceased by her father, Leon VanAuken; her mother, Emma (Washer) VanAuken; her husband, Ewald Westra; her son, Jerry Westra; and her siblings, Charles VanAuken, Jack VanAuken, Richard VanAuken, and Shirley Savacool. She is survived by her son, Albert Westra (Kathy); her daughters, Patti Falotico (Frank) and Kathi Iossa (Skip); her grandchildren, Natalie Brody, Jamie Tosh (Gerrit), Kelli Bowler (Bobby), and Carmen Iossa; her great-grandchildren, Cate Brody, Julia Brody, Brinlee Tosh, Lucas Tosh, Frankie Tosh, Trent Bowler, Lexi Bowler, Logan Bowler and Tanner Bowler; her sisters-in-law, Mary Van Auken and Jeanne VanAuken; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ, on October 14, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm. A Funeral Service will follow at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home on October 14, 2026, at 12 pm. Interment will follow the service in Tranquility Cemetery, 19 Maple Lane Rd, Green Twp., NJ, on October 14, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allamuchy-Green First Aid Squad: https://www.95rescue.org/donate.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the care team at the United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen for the care they provided for Betty.
Online condolences may be offered to the family below.
