Mary Therese West

Mary Therese West October 11, 1927 to February 22, 2015 Mary Therese died at home with her husband and family on February 22, 2015. She, the youngest of seven, was holding the hand of her seventh child when she passed peacefully from this earth. Mary was born to Mary Ellen and Richard Patrick Brolley in Spring Valley, Illinois on October 11, 1927. Her father died when she was two at the beginning of the Great Depression, but her stalwart mother kept the family together. Mary graduated from high school at age sixteen, and then attended junior college in La Salle, Illinois where she met her future husband and lifelong friend, Dirk West. The couple married and then moved to Chicago where Dirk attended the University of Chicago, and Mary worked at the U. of C. Press. Mary was as comfortable speaking to professors and deans as she was to people on the street. The couple moved to San Francisco in 1954 and then to Mill Valley where they spent many happy years raising their family. Mary volunteered in the schools, for political campaigns, the Marin Symphony, and the peace movement. She returned to college at age 50 and studied literature (Shakespeare) and performed in plays. They moved to Santa Cruz in 1980 where Mary worked in retail, volunteered at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and for many Democratic campaigns. Mary had a keen intellect, a lightning-quick sense of humor, and a kind and generous heart. She used to carry gloves and socks in her purse to give to people on the street. She loved poetry, music, fighting against injustice, a good joke, and always a good cup of tea. She was proud of her Irish heritage and raised her children to "Never forget you're Irish!" Mary was the loving mother of Christina, Lizann (David), Rebecca, Anthony Scott (Barbara), Cara Carmela, Colin, and Emily (Jason). She was grandmother to: Carmella, Siobhan, Magdalena, Hilary, Carissa, Matthew, Teresa, and Hannah; great-grandmother to Ethan, Diego, Ebin, Desmond, Jordan, Cooper, Annie, Ember, and Charlie. She is preceded in death by daughter Cara Carmela, son Colin, and siblings Roger, Margaret, Rita, Billy, Raymond, and Dick. Rest in peace dear mother/wife/friend. You will live forever in our hearts. Our thanks to the kind and competent caregivers at Kindred and Hospice of Santa Cruz, as well as the staff of Visiting Nurses and Palliative Care. Donations requested for MHCAN, the St. Francis Soup Kitchen, RCNV, and Hospice Santa Cruz. Private ceremony on 3/20/15.