Glenn L. West, known as “Tommie” to her family and friends, a former Westport resident, died Aug. 1 in Lake Oswego, Oregon while enjoying her passion of gardening at home. She was 81.
Tommie West: former Westporter. Contributed photo
She was born in Montclair, New Jersey on June 6, 1938, to John and Katharine Litch. The daughter of a career U.S. soldier, she moved around the world as a child.
Graduating from Alcee Fortier Senior High School in New Orleans, she attended Louisiana State University (LSU) as an active member of the Tri Delta sorority, pursuing a degree in education.
Married for 24 years to James L. Smith, they raised three children together in Westport’s Greens Farms section. In addition to being a loving mother, Tommie was an engaged member of the local community as a volunteer, active in the PTA, the Westport Garden Club, Westport Woman’s Club, Girl Scouts and Trinity Episcopal Church.
Moving to Lake Oswego in 1978, Tommie worked over 25 years in Retail Management for Meier & Frank. She met her soul mate in Ralph C. West and they were married for six years before his death.
In retirement, she resumed her volunteer activities, supporting Pittock Mansion in S.W. Portland and Lake Oswego’s Christ Church Episcopal Parish. Tommie spent many hours at Christ Church, serving in St. Catherine’s Guild, gardening the grounds and supporting the office.
Tommie loved her family and could always be found at her grandchildren’s events, whether they be sports, dance or school activities. One of the original founders of the “Monday Night Ladies,” she thrived in their weekly gatherings and various international travels around the globe.
She is survived by her three children, son, Dixon Smith (Kiki); and daughters, Deborah Cowgill (Steve) and Dusty Smith Johnson (Joel); and eight grandchildren, Tucker Smith (Tiffany), Katie Cowgill (Ashley), Zachary Smith, Stacia Deptula (Patrick), Cragan Smith, Annie Johnson, Willie Johnson and Danny Johnson.
A funeral will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal Parish, Lake Oswego.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Tommie’s name to Koolen-de Vries Syndrome Foundation at http://www.kdvsfoundation.org, in honor of Tommie’s grandson, Willie Johnson, who has Koolen-de Vries Syndrome, or Christ Church Episcopal Parish, P.O. Box 447, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.
