Eleanor Murray West

Eleanor Murray West made the world a better place for 100 years, joyfully serving her Lord, her family, her church and her community. She was always cheerful and friendly towards everyone, with a positive attitude and an encouraging word. During October, she thoroughly enjoyed all of her 100th birthday guests and activities, and on November 26th she passed to her eternal reward.

Eleanor Elizabeth Murray was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on October 13, 1918 to Annie and Adam Murray. She was the middle child of nine children. She graduated from Lawrence High School and later Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing. After receiving her R.N. she worked as a nurse in Massachusetts, Florida and Maryland in obstetrics and coronary care units as well as private duty. Eleanor was very proud to be a nurse; ever the consummate professional, she always wore her white dress uniform, white polished shoes and stockings, and white nurses’ cap with its black velvet stripe despite the fact that uniform requirements were eased. She retired from Anne Arundel Medical Center in downtown Annapolis where she was the charge nurse in the coronary care unit. After retiring from the hospital she worked as an RN in the office of Doctors Shipley, Peeler, Church and Biern.

During the war, Eleanor's parents were in a bowling league where a member asked if one of their daughters would write to their son. Eleanor volunteered, and wrote to Harold West (“Westy”) while he was maintaining radio communications in airports throughout the Caribbean. They met when Westy returned home on leave. Eleanor and Westy married in 1946 and the next day moved to Miami, Florida where Westy worked for Pan American Airways.

Eleanor served in community leadership positions including PTA president and the Women of the Church president. She was elected an Elder of the Rockville Presbyterian Church in the early 1960’s, the first year that women were eligible, and later received the church’s lifetime service award. In 1966 she joined First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis and was active in church life here as well. Eleanor’s hobbies included baking, gardening, flower arranging, rug-hooking, and Bible study. She was talented at organizing church events, and loved to host wonderful dinners for friends and family. In retirement, she traveled extensively with her husband in their camper trailer and enjoyed her many friends in the Good Sam camper group. Eleanor was the proud sponsor of the annual “Westy Award” presented by the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation (ACT) to a student intern who provided outstanding service to the county’s archeology and preservation activities.

Eleanor was pre-deceased by her son Ken (2008) and her husband Westy (2009). She leaves behind her son Harold West III (Hal) and his wife Barbara; her daughter Christine West; her granddaughter Rachel Wisener and husband Kevin; and many cherished friends and relatives.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 171 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis on January 5, 2019; visitation will be in the sanctuary from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eleanor Fund of the First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are handled by the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street. Contact them at (410)-263-4422 regarding parking or inclement weather.