Grace Ocariz West

On July 6, 2024, the gates of heaven opened for Grace as she laid her earthly body aside to touch the face of Jesus. Surrounded by love, wrapped in grace and filled with anticipation, of a glorious reunion with her parents, beloved husband, and siblings in Paradise.

Grace was born on November 12, 1936, in Alameda, New Mexico to Meliton and Eleanora Duran. She is preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, George T. West. 

She is survived by her children; Georgia Babb (Kevin), Joseph West, Laureen Marquez (Randy), Elizabeth West (Lou), Christopher West and Robert West (Jessica).

Grandchildren: Monique Moore, Sarah O’Dell, Paul Sisneros, Joseph West, Michael Smith, Tracey Larranaga, Rosanne Cervantes, Crystal West, Louie Volk, Cody Volk, Leah Marquez and Mark West as well as many cherished great grandchildren, and great- great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Marcella Lucero and sister-in-law, Lillian Duran and many loving nieces and nephews.

Our hearts are heavy with sadness, but these feelings pale in comparison to the magnitude of love and appreciation we have for her. We are most grateful for her unwavering support, love and sacrifice. She was a strong, loving and slightly stubborn, matriarchal woman. She enjoyed a career as a dental hygienist.

Grace was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was everything to her and she expressed her love through cooking, crocheting blankets, and embroidering special pillowcases and towels for everyone. She loved to cook family dinners every Sunday and loved making biscochitos for weddings and special occasions. 

She also cherished spending time with her siblings, especially the days when she could go to the casino and play bingo. She was a ferocious reader and was excellent at crossword puzzles.

While we will miss her greatly, we are at peace knowing her suffering has ended. “Go rest high up on that mountain, Mama.”