Andree Marie (Grillot) West

She is preceded in death by her adoring parents, Marion Charles (Pete) Grillot and Marian Lillian Fagot Grillot. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Leland Gary West and their two children whom have brought her so much joy, Benjamin David West (Paris) and Amanda Michelle West Abshire (Jordan); as well as 3 cherished grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved siblings: her sisters; Sr. Gwen Grillot, O. Carm. and Michelle Grillot Mayfield ( Joe); her brothers; Gary C. Grillot (Beth), Roy G. Grillot (Janet), Stephen C. Grillot (Grace) and John G. Grillot (Lisa); twenty nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.

Born on November 30, 1953, the second of seven children, Andree grew up in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans. She attended Mount Carmel Academy for high school and graduated from Nichols State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and Technology with minors in History and Business. Her corporate career spanned thirty years and extended from Louisiana to Massachusetts and South Carolina. Ultimately she and Lee moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to be with their first grandson and have remained there for the last 10 years. As her family grew, she relished sharing stories of her childhood in New Orleans and introducing her grandchildren to the local delicacies she craved. “Mere,” as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren, embodied a Joie de Vivre- always offering to do for others before herself. No idea was too big and her approach was often bigger. Whether it was transforming her daughter's house into a pirate ship for Halloween, "refreshing" the decor, hosting large gatherings with family and friends, or cheering from the sidelines at numerous ball games, she exemplified a spirit of adventure coupled with a wicked sense of humor. Her latest endeavor, to which she was wholeheartedly dedicated, was spending her time raising awareness and funding for the Mint Hill Women's Club and the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce. She fostered many valued friendships with the men and women she worked with by putting on fundraisers to benefit her community.

Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of life at Arlington Baptist Church on Monday, February 3 at 10am. An internment will be scheduled for family to attend at Lake Lawn Mausoleum in Metairie, Louisiana, where she will be placed in a crypt with her parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Honor the Warriors and Healing Vine Harbor, Inc.