Our Mom, Jennifer “Jen” West was born in Windsor, England on 5/13/1946.  She passed away on 9/27/2021 after suffering eight long years with dementia.  Dementia is a cruel disease.  It not only robs you of your sense of reality and memory, it takes away your dignity as well.

Mom was a proud immigrant who came to the US from England in the late 1960’s as a nanny and went on to become a citizen in the 1980’s.  She was always the “cool” mom due to her fashion sense and her willingness to allow us, her daughters to be ourselves.  She allowed us to express ourselves freely. From dying our hair any color we wanted–to being involved in politics, our Mom was always supportive and encouraging.

Jen was a fierce feminist and instilled in us the importance of being educated and independent women.  She was also a single mother.  Raising two daughters alone is no easy feat.  We gave our Mom a hard time as teens, but she never gave up on us.  Her love was unconditional.  She was a beautifully complex woman who had no filter at times.  We will always miss her very strong opinions on just about everything.

Our Mom also had a wicked sense of humor.  Laughter in our home was not uncommon. Her dark humor is something we have missed terribly these past eight years.  The world is a sadder place without her.  We hope she is somewhere having a “cuppa” tea or a rum and coke while arguing politics with her friends and family who preceded her in death.

Although her passing is tragic, her dignity has been restored.  She would have preferred us to remember her as she was before dementia stole everything she had.

Jen West is survived by her two daughters, Stephanie (Jason) and Jamie Boelter (DeWayne); four grandsons, Jacob Boelter, Elijah Morgan, Isaiah Morgan and Javion Boelter; her sister, Gerry Staples (Phil); three nephews, Andrew Staples (Sue), Jeremy Gwilliam (Patty) and Kris Staples (Sheila) as well as many, many cousins.  She held a special place in her heart for her favorite cousin, Lynne Bultitude (Phillip). She is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Ivy West; and her brother, Ian West.

There will be no services for our Mom.  We will be taking her back home as she wished. Please consider donating to The Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) if you can.