Anne R. West May 25, 1918 – December 21, 2018 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt, Anne Rhea West, 100 years old, died of natural causes December 21 at her home in Severna Park, preceded by her three younger siblings, Thomas Rhea, Robert Rhea and Marie Louise Peterson. Anne was born May 25, 1918 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Her father, Powell Rhea graduated from the Naval Academy, class of 1915, and later commanded a squadron of submarines in Hawaii, advancing to rear admiral.
He earned two silver stars for his heroism in WWI along with many other accolades. Anne’s mother, Marie De La Villebeuvre Hyman, graduated from Sophie Newcomb College in Louisiana, and met and married Powell, then a young Navy ensign stationed in New Orleans. She was a descendent of one of the original French families who settled in New Orleans around 1740, including A.B Roman, twice governor of Louisiana prior to the Civil War.
The famous Oak Alley plantation was part of the Roman family dynasty. Anne attended Connecticut College and in 1940 married Ensign Ralph West, a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He fought in WWII, rising in rank to Captain.
He commanded the large ocean tug U.S.C.G Cherokee which rescued 44 survivors from burning oil slicked waters in 1951. For his actions he was awarded the Legion of Merit. He saved many lives during his 30 years in the USCG rushing to the rescue with enthusiasm to save many men against unforgiving seas.
As the wife of Captain West, Anne lived in many exotic locations. Stationed in Naples, Italy, she became an avid student of art history and she loved to paint portraits in oil and water color. She would often paint her neighbors and their pets.
Anne and Ralph loved to swim, sail, paint, and travel together throughout their 62 year marriage. Along with her dedication to her family she was a talented artist! She was asked to model for a magazine in the 1940’s and was likened to a blue eyed raven haired version of Sophia Lauren.
She modeled for the Officer’s club fundraisers while living in Miami, Florida. She also played a role in “Million Dollar Mermaid” in New London Connecticut in 1956. She was quite an amazing beauty.
Yet she was humble, very shy, and never liked bringing attention to herself. As a mother of three girls, Anne was also the ultimate homemaker serving home baked chocolate chip cookies after her children got home from school with a beautiful soothing smile that made them feel that all was well in the world. She prepared exquisite home cooked meals such as boeuf bourguignon that became affectionately known as “beef boogie” in her family of French speakers!
She also loved to sew, which meant that her three daughters always wore original”haute couture” designer dresses to parties and proms! For many years Anne worked for the Historical Society in Annapolis leading busses of school children and adults around the town. She was an expert on all things historical in Annapolis.
At the age of 92 she was still swimming 18 laps in a 25 meter pool while singing songs, reciting poems, and conversing with other swimmers. Swimming was one of the keys to her happy, long-lived, and healthy life! She became a widow in 2002, and after Ralph’s death, she continued to live with her family in Severna Park.
On her 100th birthday Anne received the Governor’s citation to honor “a beautiful lady and beloved Marylander whose lifelong love of family, art, swimming, and sailing,”earned her recognition and congratulations. Senator Ed Reilly requested to have the American flag flown over the Maryland State Capitol in celebration and she was also featured on the Smucker’s centennial celebrations. She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia West-Ward of Lubbock, Texas and Keeley West of Severna Park; two grandchildren: Kirsten Carter and Shandy Linley; one great grand child Anaïs Carter and several niece’s and nephews.
Anne’s middle daughter, Jacqueline, died in 1975. One of Anne’s favorite expressions was “Enjoy yourself! It’s later than you think!
” This makes all of us take pause to appreciate the life we have been given during our short time on this earth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. , Severna Park, MD 21146 Family and friends may gather for a memorial visitation on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 1-3pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD, 21146.
A memorial service will be held following the visitation at 3pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
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