UPDATE - 12/23@12:47PM: Rush has posted a message to their official Instagram:
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I'm sad to report that Neil Peart's mother Betty Peart passed away this past Friday, December 19th at age 90. Betty's daughter Nancy announced the news late last night via social media:
We are sad to announce that our Beloved Mother, Betty Ann Peart (nee Blackwell) passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the age of 90. After a long battle with chronic pain she died peacefully with her daughters Judy and Nancy present and we are so grateful she is finally out of pain. Judy's husband John and Nancy's husband George were able to visit before her passing.
She has 9 Grandchildren~Jason, Sean, Holly, Hannah, Emma, Veronica, Max, Nick, Olivia and 9 Great-Grandchildren~Sam, Brady, Cooper, Jaedee, Marley, Audrey, Stanley, Evie-Jean & Matilda that were her pride and joy, as well as a sister Carol and brother Richard and their families and leaves a legacy of amazing memories for everyone who's lives she touched.
Betty and Glen were also known for 'adopting strays' as they welcomed anyone that needed some support including Phil and Brian (who the family called 'adopted brothers' )and didn't hesitate to make them part of our family.
Their hearts and kindness were unlimited and they continued to welcome people into their lives with compassion and understanding of any circumstances that surrounded them.
Betty had a wonderful life from being an accomplished swimmer, a drum majorette, a florist, a knitter, expert poker player, and 'blinger of all things'. She was known for her party hostess skills, and especially for her 'signature drinks' Bahama Mama and Pina Colada! She was fortunate to have travelled extensively and her favourite place on earth will always be Bardados.
She loved being part of the Neil Peart and Rush Girls Rock fan clubs and was always welcoming fans to the site, wishing them happy birthday and saying hello. She never understood why 'She' was important, even though we told her a million times she was 'THE' person!
The last five years brought more than one person should be subject to. Losing 2 Sons and a Husband of 70 years definitely took its toll but, she continued on, trying to help with charity events that now meant even more to our family. (She and Judy actually knitted 75 gnomes in the colour of the Scottish flag for Rushfest Scotland to help them raise money for the cancer foundation!)
Her final wish is for any donations to be made to peartevents@gmail.com (by either paypal or etransfer ) to help continue the mission of charitable giving in our family name. She also wants a tree at Lakeside Park to join the ones already planted for our Dad and Danny so that will all be part of her final wishes.
We hope everyone will raise a glass to Betty, blend up a pina colada, a glass of wine or Bahama Mama and toast to her wonderful life and legacy. We will miss her dearly but know she will always be part of us. "Have a drink and be somebody"
