Obituary of Patricia West

Patricia Ann Reid was born in Marietta, Ohio on Mother’s Day in 1926 and grew up during the depression. She had a happy childhood growing up near the Ohio River with her younger brother, Bill. She loved being outdoors and learned how to garden from her father, Milt. She learned her gracious ways from her mother, Eva. Some years later, her baby sister, Mary, was born. She had a loving extended family nearby. Pat attended Marietta College. She met and married Mark West and moved to Tucson in 1946 so Mark could attend the UofA. Pat worked as a nurse’s aid at TMC and longed to become a mother. Finally, her wish came true – times six! Shortly after the birth of the youngest, she and Mark divorced. With great determination and faith, and she and the children moved back to the grey brick house on Bentley Avenue in Winterhaven. Pat adored her children. She provided a wonderful life for her family. She always saw that the children had what they needed. She was so pleased when she got the set of encyclopedias for the family! She was very creative and artistic – her hands were constantly busy. She made all of her own clothes as well as clothes for her girls and she found time to iron the collared shirts the boys wore. She created beautiful Christmas displays for the Winterhaven visitors. She was a great cook and insisted that dinner time was a chance for everyone to sit at our round table, without TV, use their best manners, and talk. Sundays started out with church (the family took up a whole pew!) and included Sunday dinner. Her house was a big gathering place for all the neighborhood kids because everyone was welcomed in her house. Pat was a warm and thoughtful hostess. She filled her home with laughter. She was the Cub Scout den mother, paper route supervisor, little league supporter, science project engineer, and drove everyone safely in her VW bus. She was a night owl – probably in order to get a little bit of quiet time. It was a special treat to be invited to stay up late with her to make a pizza and talk and laugh about silly things. It was ok to dig in the yard She was constantly available to listen and give love, guidance, and attention to each of her children. Pat did everything with patience and loving hands. It’s hard to imagine how many days it took to nurse sick children back to health as something like the flu or chicken pox made the rounds through six children. And, it’s hard to count how many babies she rocked, toddlers she read to, sticky faces she washed, bumped heads she rubbed, skinned knees she gently cleaned, how many “why” questions she answered for a curious child. She was a trusted confidant to countless teenagers. She was known for making your favorite dinner on your birthday and taking the family out for random picnics in the park. At the same time she was doing all of these things for her family, she started attending the UofA. She was so proud to graduate with her teaching certificate! She always said that she and Jamie started 1st grade together. She taught elementary school for more than 20 years. Pat adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She encouraged curiosity, reading, sharing, kindness, sharing, and a sense of humor – all the qualities she tirelessly instilled in her children. She was a counselor to her grown children as they made their way through the challenges and joys of parenthood and other life events. She always knew the right thing to say or do. Pat used to say that material things can come and go, but no one can take away the love you have for each another. She really lived that out. Things were not important to her; she always cherished the people in her life. She was a compassionate person of patience and great faith. Here is a Pueblo verse she wrote in a notebook we found: Hold on to what is good Even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe Even if it is a tree which stands by itself Hold on to what you must do Even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to life Even when it is easier letting go. Hold on to my hand Even when I have gone away from you. Pat was forever gracious and without complaints. Even in her last days when she was bent with arthritis and troubled with memory loss, it was easy to talk with her and share giggles. We will hold you in our hearts, Mom – you are our hero. Without you we would be nothing; without you; we would not be. From you came our dignity, our imagination, our creativity. Lead us from the path of arrogance into the peacefulness and the servitude of humility. Thank you for teaching us forgiveness, showing us how to bridle our tongues and subdue anger. Help us have the ability to love as you did, without qualification, without condition, without limitations. We will cherish you forever. And forever. And forever.