WEST, Margaretta "Rita"

bluemountaineagle.com 5 Feb 2013 Margaretta “Rita” West, 94, of Prairie City, died Jan. 30 at Blue Mountain Nursing Home. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the United Methodist Church in Arlington, with burial following. Mrs. West was born on April 7, 1918, in Dufur, to Hazel and Richard Jones. She enjoyed a happy childhood, raised on a rural farm, and filled with the love and closeness of her sisters. As the oldest, she helped cook and care for her two younger sisters. She was an avid reader and excellent student, graduating at the top of her high school class. The skills she learned at home helped her earn her first job as cook for the harvest crew on Alvin and Neva West’s ranch. It was there that she met the love of her life, Melvin “Con” West. They were married in 1938 and, with his daughter, Janet, began their life in Rock Creek. Years later, they moved to Devil’s Lake on the Oregon coast, where they bought a small motel and gas station. She often recalled how she loved their home there, where the children enjoyed boating and swimming. In 1956, they moved back to Eastern Oregon, after Con finished barber college. They moved to John Day, where he was the town barber. She also worked in John Day, and served on the Blue Mountain Hospital women’s auxiliary. She was active in local projects, had many close friends, cheered her sons in sports and supported the outdoorsman life her husband and sons enjoyed. She retired in 1984, after working as a bookkeeper for a John Day firm. She loved life and the world, and cherished her family. She shared her wisdom in a kind way, was gracious, and made all feel loved and welcome who came to her home. Survivors include her son, Tom (Carolyn) West of Green Valley, Calif.; and her daughter, Janet (Ken) Allread of West Richland, Wash.; eight grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin West; son, Joe West; and sisters, Maggie and Betty. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day Senior Center through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.