Helen P. West, 83, of Saint Louis, MO, was born on August 15, 1935 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Carl and Vera Lane (nee: Manary). They have preceded her in death. Helen passed away peacefully on Monday, October 15, 2018.
Helen was the loving wife of the late Claude B. West. She was the devoted mother of Kerry West (Denise), Darin West, Jane Jones (Pervis), and Michelle Thompson (Jeff); treasured grandmother of 11 grandkids and 7 great grandkids; and dear sister of Ken Lane, Gordie Orwig, the late Bob Lane, and the late Dick Lane. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Helen graduated from the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, IL. She went on to work for McDonnell-Douglas for over 18 years and retired from there. Helen was active for many years in the St. Louis deaf community, as a member and volunteer for a number of organizations, including the Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf (GSLAD). She was extremely proud when she was named GSLAD Woman of the Year. In her free time, Helen enjoyed cooking, baking, decorating, playing games with her kids and grandkids, traveling, socializing with her friends, and playing bingo. She loved to watch and cheer on her favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals; but most especially, she loved watching and supporting her kids and grandkids at their various sporting events. Helen will be remembered as a kind, warm-hearted, and generous woman who saw the good in everyone and loved unconditionally. She was truly an amazing mom, grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations may be made in Helen’s name to the Greater St. Louis Association of the Deaf (GSLAD) or to the American Diabetes Association.