Jeanette West

Jeanette West, 88, passed away on July 16, 2024.

Jeanette was born in Roderfield, West Virginia on February 5, 1936. Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband John West Jr. She is survived by sons Ted Murphy and Gary West, daughters Debra West (Daniel) Centrone and Carolyn West (Joseph) Black. Grandchildren include John and Gary Murphy, Jonathan, Tiffany and Christopher West, Chad Centrone and Caitlyn Jarvis and great grandchildren Robert and Taryn.

Jeanette graduated from Welch High School and attended West Virginia Business College and Marshall University. She moved, with her husband John West Jr., to the Akron area in 1957.

After her husband’s death in 1980 Jeanette attended Kent State University earning a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. She also attended West Virginia College of Graduate Studies and Kent State University earning an M.Ed with a concentration in Community Counseling and other numerous accolades. She worked with Victims Assistance and AARP Widowed Person Service as a state and national organizer. She later worked with Portage Children’s Center and Akron Child Guidance Center. 

Jeanette embraced life and looked forward to each experience as an adventure. She approached each adventure with enthusiasm and a sense of discovery and she liked to say she took advantage of every opportunity that came her way.

Jeanette would tell you that her greatest accomplishment, in life, was raising four wonderful children and watching them grow to become beautiful adults. She also took great pride in her work with helping crime victims deal with their trauma. She worked for four years with AARP as a State and National Organizer developing programs in Ohio and presenting AARP workshops nationally. She especially cherished her work with children and families at Akron Child Guidance Center and Portage Children’s Center. She devoted herself unselfishly and tirelessly with caring and concern for everyone she came in contact with.

Jeanette has chosen cremation and per her request, no interment. There will be no calling hours or services at this time. A memorial gathering will be scheduled by her children at a date of their choice. 

Carolyn and Joe send their heartfelt thanks to the Summa Hospice team, including Melissa, Erica, Carolyn, Mel, and all the other staff members for their devotion to caring for our Mom.