Doris West, 91, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2017. She was born in Great Bend, Kansas on February 15, 1926. Her parents were August and Rose Weide. She attended Phillips University in Oklahoma and Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. She married Charles Ben West in 1946 while he was in the Army. He passed away at 90 on June 30 of this year.
Doris and Charles resided in Topeka, Kansas from 1952 to 1986. In Topeka she volunteered with Girl Scouts, Mental Health Association, League of Women Voters, and was recipient of Outstanding Community Volunteer award from Junior League. She was a retired legal secretary.
When Charles retired they moved to Sedona, Arizona. They also had a second residence in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for a few years. Doris and Charles were members of the Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona, members of the Westerners Hiking Club and the Red Rock Rovers, a four-wheel drive club. She volunteered for Verde Valley Caregivers well into her 80s, taking Sedona residents on any errand needed. She also volunteered with Sedona Welcomers, Epsilon Sigma Alpha and the Silver Lining Thrift Shop in Sedona. She and Charles spent their last three years in Phoenix, Arizona, close to her youngest daughter and family.
Doris always had a positive attitude and looked for the best in people. In her later years she was always looking for the next party. She enjoyed her social life. Her advice for her granddaughter was to “Be honest and stick to your beliefs. Don’t let others tell you what to do and respect yourself and others.” She passed that outlook on life to her three daughters and granddaughter.
After 71 years of marriage, Doris and Charles are now going on a new adventure together. She is survived by her three daughters, Suzanne West and Jay West of Kamuela, Hawaii, Wendi Vandenberg of Phoenix, Arizona, and granddaughter Charlee Vandenberg of Phoenix, Arizona. Spouses are Mike Shattuck, Dennis Cigainero and Carl Vandenberg.
In lieu of a service and flowers donations can be sent to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix (www.hov.org, 602-530-6992).
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 1, 2017#
