Arlene West, "Mama", age 86, of Montesano, died Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen. She was born October 3, 1926, at Kansas City, Missouri, to Harvey and Lydia (Elliott) Lord.
Mama was the first born, followed by the birth of her sister, Betty Irene five years later and then brother, Joseph Allen. Of sister Betty's birth, Mama often recalled how special that day was to her. "I crawled up into the bed with Mom (Granny) and Betty, I stayed there with them for three days". She and Betty remained best friends throughout Mama's life.
Mama's fondest memories of childhood were of her Father. Although Harvey had serious injuries from the war and was in and out of hospitals, they forged a love that carried with Mama through her life. She was her father's daughter. How I wish we could have known Harvey, for I believe he was responsible for her optimistic outlook on life. Always the encourager, knowing God saw the bigger picture and directed her life. It was her genuine love of people that drew them to her.
Mama attend schools in New Mexico and Colorado. She was an excellent student and enjoyed learning, although circumstances prevented her from continuing her education further.
Mama married Allcy P. West, September 10, 1942 in Kimball Nebraska. Soon after Allcy signed up for the Army and for 3 years Mama waited for him. With ardent love letters flowing between the two, Allcy (or A.P. as she called him), came home to her. With that they started a family. First born Cathy Annette, followed by Janice Arlene, and then their boy, Jimmy Allcy, living in many small towns throughout Colorado.
Mama was a homemaker, loved her family and made each house a home. She and Allcy enjoyed being with family and friends. They especially enjoyed square dancing. Allcy even sewing Mama a dress for their dances, waking her out of a sound sleep to "try it on".
Mama's husband, Allcy passed away very suddenly leaving Mama at age 35, a single Mom. She firmly established order to their lives with family meetings in place to make sure all were doing well. Trying her hand at different jobs to support herself and her children, Mama tried insurance work. In those days not many were willing to buy from a woman. Mama and family lived in Fowler and Greeley, CO and McPherson, KS.
In 1968 she came out to Aberdeen and joined her sis, Betty, working at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Taking on the front desk at the lab she became like a Mama to many, with her wonderful, easy going personality. She retired from there after 20+ years.
Later, both being widows, Mama moved in with Betty. They were able to enjoy many trips together, going once a year to Reno to meet her girls, Cathy & Janice on Mother's Day.
After Betty's health failed Mama became her caregiver, until 2007, when Mama was diagnosed with lung cancer. She then moved in with son, Jim and his wife, Marlene, so they could care for her. In March 2008, Mama was declared "cancer free". Not able to take all the prescribed treatments, Mama often told any who asked that medicine did what it could, but God healed her.
Mama is survived by her daughter: Cathy(Spencer) Olson, Fowler, CO; a son: Jim (Marlene) West, Montesano, WA; a son-in-law, Jimmy Cope, Rocky Ford, CO; four grandchildren: Curt Olson, Jason and Justin Cope all of Colorado and Allison Vaughn, Washington state; six great-grandchildren, Kelcie, Kaden, Karter, Bryson, Tanner and Tyler; a sister, Betty Duckworth and a brother, Joseph Roach, both of Hoquiam; and a nephew: Terry (Wendy) Duckworth of Hoquiam. Mama was preceded in death by her father, Harvey Lord, July 1939 and mother, Lydia, January 1980; her husband, Allcy in April 1962; and a daughter, Janice, November 1997.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm Monday, December 17th at Grays Harbor Foursquare Church, 4800 Central Park Drive, Aberdeen. Pastors Steve Purdue & Brad Gill officiating. A potluck reception will follow.
Mama Quotes: about church, "As long as I'm breathin', I'm going".
"I'm just observing"
The family suggests memorial gifts to Christian Cable Ministries, PO Box 690, Aberdeen, WA 98520
A message of condolence or of a memory can be left for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arlene West, please visit our flower store.
Mama was the first born, followed by the birth of her sister, Betty Irene five years later and then brother, Joseph Allen. Of sister Betty's birth, Mama often recalled how special that day was to her. "I crawled up into the bed with Mom (Granny) and Betty, I stayed there with them for three days". She and Betty remained best friends throughout Mama's life.
Mama's fondest memories of childhood were of her Father. Although Harvey had serious injuries from the war and was in and out of hospitals, they forged a love that carried with Mama through her life. She was her father's daughter. How I wish we could have known Harvey, for I believe he was responsible for her optimistic outlook on life. Always the encourager, knowing God saw the bigger picture and directed her life. It was her genuine love of people that drew them to her.
Mama attend schools in New Mexico and Colorado. She was an excellent student and enjoyed learning, although circumstances prevented her from continuing her education further.
Mama married Allcy P. West, September 10, 1942 in Kimball Nebraska. Soon after Allcy signed up for the Army and for 3 years Mama waited for him. With ardent love letters flowing between the two, Allcy (or A.P. as she called him), came home to her. With that they started a family. First born Cathy Annette, followed by Janice Arlene, and then their boy, Jimmy Allcy, living in many small towns throughout Colorado.
Mama was a homemaker, loved her family and made each house a home. She and Allcy enjoyed being with family and friends. They especially enjoyed square dancing. Allcy even sewing Mama a dress for their dances, waking her out of a sound sleep to "try it on".
Mama's husband, Allcy passed away very suddenly leaving Mama at age 35, a single Mom. She firmly established order to their lives with family meetings in place to make sure all were doing well. Trying her hand at different jobs to support herself and her children, Mama tried insurance work. In those days not many were willing to buy from a woman. Mama and family lived in Fowler and Greeley, CO and McPherson, KS.
In 1968 she came out to Aberdeen and joined her sis, Betty, working at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Taking on the front desk at the lab she became like a Mama to many, with her wonderful, easy going personality. She retired from there after 20+ years.
Later, both being widows, Mama moved in with Betty. They were able to enjoy many trips together, going once a year to Reno to meet her girls, Cathy & Janice on Mother's Day.
After Betty's health failed Mama became her caregiver, until 2007, when Mama was diagnosed with lung cancer. She then moved in with son, Jim and his wife, Marlene, so they could care for her. In March 2008, Mama was declared "cancer free". Not able to take all the prescribed treatments, Mama often told any who asked that medicine did what it could, but God healed her.
Mama is survived by her daughter: Cathy(Spencer) Olson, Fowler, CO; a son: Jim (Marlene) West, Montesano, WA; a son-in-law, Jimmy Cope, Rocky Ford, CO; four grandchildren: Curt Olson, Jason and Justin Cope all of Colorado and Allison Vaughn, Washington state; six great-grandchildren, Kelcie, Kaden, Karter, Bryson, Tanner and Tyler; a sister, Betty Duckworth and a brother, Joseph Roach, both of Hoquiam; and a nephew: Terry (Wendy) Duckworth of Hoquiam. Mama was preceded in death by her father, Harvey Lord, July 1939 and mother, Lydia, January 1980; her husband, Allcy in April 1962; and a daughter, Janice, November 1997.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm Monday, December 17th at Grays Harbor Foursquare Church, 4800 Central Park Drive, Aberdeen. Pastors Steve Purdue & Brad Gill officiating. A potluck reception will follow.
Mama Quotes: about church, "As long as I'm breathin', I'm going".
"I'm just observing"
The family suggests memorial gifts to Christian Cable Ministries, PO Box 690, Aberdeen, WA 98520
A message of condolence or of a memory can be left for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arlene West, please visit our flower store.
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