Westover, Steven
Steven Westover
October 13, 1956 – January 19, 2021
Steven passed away on January 19, 2021 at Brampton Civic Hospital after a short illness. Steve was the son of James Westover (d.1990) and Elva Westover (nee Miles) (d.2010). He will be fondly remembered by his siblings, Jim (Joanne), Gary (Lois), Lois (Ed), Murray (Lori) and Wendell (Marcia) Westover as well as his nieces and nephews, Michael, Melanie, Katie, Avery, Zachary, Elly, Jake, Dwight, Shanelle and Samantha. He was predeceased by his sister Marlene in April 2019 and his brother Stan in December 2019. Due to physical limitations, he spent the last two years living in King Nursing Home in Bolton. Thanks to all who went out of their way to help Steve over the years, including the support workers at King. We heard so many nice things about Steven from his caregivers. We know he is leaving a lot of good friends there!
Steve enjoyed talking about cars, loved listening to music and was known to write poetry from time to time. He was a very social person who loved to stay in touch in person or over the phone. He had a strong and steadfast faith in God which sustained him in his down times. His suffering on this earth is over and we know he is in a better place. If you feel so inclined and in lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to https://schizophrenia.ca/donate/ or a charity of your choice. He wrote this poem which we thought apropos.
Freedoms Shore
And just then they flung open the door,
Sprung me loose on Freedoms Shore
Mine was an all-out scream of pure delight
Release from bondage, and bondage no more
And I ran,
Ran like a mad dog on Freedoms Shore
My tears were the marks of joy I proudly bore
And I knew the sweetness of the sunshine
And the air that blew my sorrows away.
-Steve Westover
Steven’s funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at St. John’s Dixie Chapel in Mississauga, and can be streamed online here. Burial to follow at Meadowvale Cemetery.
Love and condolences to the family for the loss of a dear brother Steven. His conversations and visits will be missed by many of us. ❤️
Aubrey and Mary Anderson send our love and sympathy to all the family. Steve was much appreciated, and will be missed, though we know he’s gone on to a much more precious place, forever.
Rest In Peace, Steve.
Steven and I worked together very closely throughout the last few years of his life. I enjoyed getting to know Steven and didn’t realize how much of an impact he would leave with me. Steven and I had great ups and downs, and I will always cherish our memories sitting on the patio this last year listening to his favourite song on repeat and singing together. Steven always spoke so highly of his family and I hope there is some solace in knowing that he loved you all so very much and was so very proud of his siblings. God bless his soul and may he rest in peace.
To the Westover family;
We want to send you all a huge hug & Love ❤️. A wonderful and fitting poem indeed. My earliest & fondest memories were when we used to go to their home for dinners/fellowship. Remembering how Steve used to make us smile, laugh & scream sheer delight as he carried out his ‘monster’ act (him and his brothers). More importantly, I remember Steve in meetings/Conv. how he silently encouraged us then. And even now, to continue faithfully to “Freedom shore”. We will miss you……????????????????????????????????. Seldon & Brenda
To Steve’s Family,
We first got to know Steve in the 1990s in Kingston and we always enjoyed sitting in meetings with him. Despite his health it was evident through his desires and actions that he had laid hold of the root of the one thing that really matters. He would clearly express such sincere and spiritual thoughts… and now we learn that he is a gifted poet too!
Steve leaves behind a testimony of having overcome much adversity through his faith and love of God.
Sending our deepest sympathy to our Westover family . Please know we are sending love and prayers to you all . Hugs to you all
My deepest condolences to Steven’s family. We are indeed lucky to get to know Steven and to have the opportunities to discuss and share thoughts on the many events that were occurring in the news. His poetry was so beautifully written and so poignant. We shall greatly miss him.
To all Steve’s family – And now Steve is at peace. He loved the Lord with all his heart. I remember Susan & I visiting Steve when he lived in Kingston. He remained true to his conviction even when the going got rough. He will be remembered by many. I also love the poem.
What a beautiful poem. Also thankful for the example he lived. Loving what he believed in.
Sending our condolences to all the family
Kevin &Judy
We are so very sorry for your loss and we send our dear condolences to the whole family. May he rest in peace.
Thinking of the family at this time, beautiful poem.
We offer our sympathy to all the family. The poem was very touching.
Rudolph and Karen Henry
Steve was so faithful in coming to meetings and it was our privilege to take him for a number of years.
His heart was true and his memory is comforting. We will truly miss him.
It has been a long while since seeing Steven but always enjoyed his smile and outlook on life .
Rest In Peace ,
Prayers to all his remaining family in this time of sorrow .
Cheryl Armstrong
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all ????
The last time I saw Stephen was at Seagrave convention, keatha and I were happy to see him and say hello, as it had been awhile. (we always enjoyed Stephen’s testimony straight from his heart)
Dad (LesWitty) had good visits while driving to meeting with Stephen when he lived in Kingston for a short while.
I have often thought of what Stephen said one time re:Picton Convention, that “we were on holy grounds”. He loved God and respected truth. Stephen made lasting impressions.
Thinking of all the Family. Steve became an example to us all. I can picture him now on “Freedom’s Shore”. Love from the Vincents.
Steve always came out of his way to greet me.
He was much appreciated in-spite of any limitations.
I do wish to extend my condolences to the family.
Lots of memories of my dear Steve! Safe home and aren’t we thankful that is what he lived for!
To the existing family of Steven
I remembered meeting Steve in 1968 when I lived in Toronto. As young people, we always got together every Friday evening to sing hymns and have pure fun. We sometimes met in Brampton at Steve’s parents’ home. I will cherish the memories for a long time.
Trust that your memories of him will encourage you to finish in the race.
Our thoughts and condolences to the Westover family. Harold and Linda Hartin, Coaldale AB
The poem is beautiful. We have always been touched by his sincere and deep love for meetings. His testimonies of love touched our hearts.
Jo-Anne and I send our Condolences to all the Westover Families.
Sorry for your loss. Condolences to all the famlies
This poem says it all. Thank you for sharing this.
We appreciated his unwavering love for meetings and his willingness to be there no matter what. Steve loved people and remembered them by their occupation more than their name. I love how he would tease Doug about hockey. He touched my heart many times and I will always be grateful for his impact on my life.