Margaret "Maggie" "Peggy" Lewis West

Kingsport, TN - Margaret "Maggie" "Peggy" Lewis West, 88, passed peacefully at home and was reunited with her husband, Arthur "Sandy" West. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and "Mom Cat". Born in California, raised in Denver, Maggie took in her first cat at age 5, learned to ski, and planted a victory garden at age 12, thus discovering her lifelong passions at an early age. A 1948 graduate of Denver East High School, she took the East-bound train to Middlebury College and was christened "Peggy" by her dorm sisters. In Vermont she thrived at her studies, raced on the College Ski Team, and was sought out for her excellent typing skills. Following graduation in 1952 with a BA in Political Science, Peggy carried out two tours of duty with the US State Department in Athens Greece. While there she was visited by family as well as an acquaintance and future husband, Arthur "Sandy" West, while he was on leave from his USN aircraft carrier. Sandy and Peggy married in 1957 and, after a brief stay in Gainesville, FL, made their home in Central New York. Peggy and Sandy raised their three children in Fayetteville and enjoyed serving their community. Peggy loved her garden, her cats, and her trips West to ski in "her [Colorado] Mountains". She was an accomplished cook and baker, turning out daily suppers in addition to tempting treats. As a skilled seamstress she made braided wool rugs and handstitched quilts for many family members. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church (Fayetteville NY), serving on the Altar Guild and helping with the annual Plant Sale. In addition to being a domestic engineer, she carried out secretarial work for several organizations, including the Nutrition Department at Syracuse University. Her volunteer work included helping with the Boy Scouts, serving as a Girl Scout Leader and a Day Camp Counselor at Camp Adelphi, supporting the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the AARP Tax Program, and the Center for New Americans at Interfaith Works. In 2016 she moved to Kingsport TN to be closer to her youngest daughter. She was grateful and thankful for her time on this earth and always sought ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others, on the environment, and in her community.
Preceded in death by her parents, Harry T. and Margretta B. Lewis, her husband, Arthur "Sandy" West, her youngest brother, Charles D. Lewis, sister-in-law Tanya Lewis, and nephew, Colin Lewis. She is survived by her son, Charles L. West (Adrienne) of New Mexico, daughters Mary K. West (Frank English) of North Carolina and Elizabeth M. Blakely (Dale) of Tennessee, seven wonderful grandchildren Lowell, Quint, David, Taylor, Valerie, Arthur and Bodhi, her next younger brother, Harry T. Lewis Jr (Denver, CO), sister in law Penelope Lewis (Denver, CO), and her West Family sisters and brothers in laws as well as 16 nieces and nephews, and a host of other family members and cherished friends.
At Peggy's request there will be no formal service and she will be an organ/tissue donor through Restore Life. Correspondence may be sent care of her daughter: Liz Blakely, 378 Hunters Crossing Lane, Kingsport TN 37664. Memorial contributions may be made to: Interfaith Works - CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS, 1010 James Street, Syracuse NY 13203 (in memory of Peggy West) https://www.interfaithworkscny.org/programs/center-for-new-americans/, or to a charity of one's choice. The family extends a grateful thanks to the many caring folks who have attended to her needs, including Dr. David Small, Dr. Williams Steptoe, Marlene, and the entire staff of Preston Place Suites.