Obituary: Bruens, Annabelle
Age 91
Annabelle Begich Westby Bruens passed on May 25th 2015.
She was born in 1923 on October 21st to John and Anna Martinich Begich in Eveleth, MN where she and her brothers lived and attended school.
Upon graduation her adventurous spirit took her to Detroit and then on to Seattle with friends where she worked for Boeing as a telephone operator.
It was in Seattle where she met her first husband; the couple moved to Spokane and married.
Her only son, Dennis Westby, was born a year later and Annabelle was a stay at home mom until he went to school.
She worked for the Painters Trust for 46 years, earning the accomplishment of Administrator, and retiring at age 76.
She loved the outdoors and spent her free time with friends at Deer Lake.
She was a hunter and enjoyed fishing.
Annabelle loved to tend to her beautiful flower garden which was admired by everyone.
Many of her great memories and adventures were those of traveling the world, seeing new places and visiting friends and family.
Annabelle was a sports enthusiast, a huge fan of hockey, football, NASCAR, and Gonzaga Basketball.
She was the biggest fan of her granddaughter Jennifer, never missing a hockey or soccer game.
Annabelle was preceded in death by her parents John and Anna, brother John of MN, and brother Congressman Nick Begich of AK.
She is survived by her devoted son Dennis Westby and her caring granddaughter and her husband Jennifer and Jon Rennard, all of Spokane, WA.
Also her sister-in-laws, Earldyne Begich of MN, Pegge Begich of NV, and Aldine Young of IN.
She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and special friends.
All of whom will miss her funny personality, lively spirit, and lust for life.
As per her request, a private ceremony was held in her honor on May 29th at Fairmont Memorial Park in Spokane, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nick Begich Scholarship Foundation, you can mail your contribution to: NBSIF ATTN: Tom Begich, PO Box 142711, Anchorage, Alaska 99514-2711 Visit http://www.nickbegichfund.org/ for more information.
“It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
Oh how we will miss her!”