July 20, 1920 – February 28, 2025
Rosalyn (Waalkes) Westra, of Reading, MA, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on February 28, 2025 at the age of 104 after a long life well lived. Her family and devoted caregivers were by her side.
Rose was born July 21, 1920 and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. She was a first generation American of Dutch parent immigrants. She worked for years with her parents, her brothers and sister operating the Waalkes Market which was a fixture of the Grand Rapids community. Rose had a heart for service which she learned from her parents who shared food with needy people lining up at the back door of their store during the Great Depression.
Her husband Len’s engineering career took them from the University of Michigan, to Parma, OH, and Detroit, MI and then finally to Reading, MA where she would raise their six children. She was always hard working and industrious and found many opportunities to volunteer in the community.
Rose became a volunteer at Winchester Hospital, a role she would fulfill faithfully for over 50 years! Rose never said no to anyone in need. The back door to her house was always open and she had a meal ready to anyone who stopped by.
She always saw the best in everyone and was never heard to say a negative word about anyone. Rose had many expressions we remember well which demonstrate her attitude toward life. “You can do anything you put your mind to.” “You won’t know until you try.” “Do it while you’re young.” All good advice which gave her kids the encouragement they needed to take on many of life’s challenges.
Rose was a skilled knitter and would make hats for orphanages even long after it was difficult for her to see her work with her failing eyesight. She instilled the spirit of service in her children and grandchildren. A few of the causes her children and grandchildren supported included the Peace Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Haiti reconstruction, English as a Second Language, nursing care, carpentry work in Central American, and volunteering for Safe Passage in Guatemala.
Her legacy of service lives on through the work of her many grandchildren including women leading the way as doctors and nurses. Her unwavering Christian faith was always at the core of Rose’s life, and helped her surmount life’s challenges and hardships. She worshipped regularly, including at the First Baptist Church of Reading, where she felt great joy watching her caregiver Mary sing in the church choir.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Rose’s loving caregivers Mary, Josephine, Tish and to her many close friends who regularly visited and celebrated with her. Rose loved people and loved regular visits and outings with neighbors and friends. Claudette Sweeney, Janet Pierce and Sally Murphy were regular and welcomed visitors.
Rose is survived by her son Leonard F. Westra, Jr. and his wife Beth Thompson, son James Westra and his wife Betsy, daughter Rosemary Nelson and her husband Steve, and son Steve Westra and his wife Beth. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Polly Westra; 16 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard F. Westra, Sr.; and her two sons Phillip and David Westra.
A private interment is planned, and there will not be calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Reading, 45 Woburn St., Reading, MA on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow the service in the church basement.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mystic Valley Elder Services (https://mves.org); or Winchester Hospital (https://winchesterhospital.org); or the First Baptist Church of Reading (https://fbcreading.org) Funeral arrangements by the Douglass Edgerly & Bessom Funeral Home, Reading www.douglassfuneralhome.com
