Grace E. West

- An only child, Grace grew especially fond of her cousins upon moving to Yakima in her youth.

- From age 18 to 32, Grace married five different times and had a total of 9 children. After her last marriage ended, she took back her maiden name (West).

- Grace West was once featured in the Alaska Daily News (circa 1988), in a front-and-back page article written by Daily News reporter, Elizabeth Pulliam. The headline read “Former alcoholic now helps others.” Pulliam noted that West, at 58, became a counselor at Clithroe Center in Anchorage, after deciding to do something with her life and getting a college education.

- West went on to work as a counselor for drug addicts and alcoholics, eventually retiring from Salvation Army.

- West became a member of the Catholic Church and attended regularly until she was unable to drive.

- West spent months at-a-time with her grown children and their families, living in Anchorage, North Las Vegas, and western Washington. West’s last few years were spent in Walla Walla’s Eagle Springs Memory Care center.

- Grace has over 20 grandchildren, and over ten great-grandchildren.

- Grace was endless energy, and enjoyed getting together with family for movies and games.

Children: Susan, daughter
Beverly, daughter
Robert, son
Nadene, daughter
Michael, daughter
LaVonne, daughter
Antonio, son
Francis, son
Coral, daughter