The Reverend Carol Ann West, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor and friend, passed away on January 31, 2025, at the age of 87. She was surrounded by her loving family at home in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Born on November 24, 1938, in Greeley, Colorado, Carol was the daughter of William Carl Nesbitt and Maurine (Hervey) Nesbitt. She grew up in Denver and Long Island, NY and graduated from Schreiber High School in Port Washington, NY. She continued her education, attending Stephens College, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Denver and graduated from Temple Buell, Colorado Women’s College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science. She was a wife, mom, counselor and dental assistant before embarking on a second career. She graduated from Iliff School of Theology in Denver with a Master of Divinity degree, and received a Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Carol was ordained into the American Lutheran Church, later Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and was called as an Associate Pastor, Presiding Pastor, and Interim Pastor at parishes in the Salt Lake City, Utah and later, Western Colorado. While in Salt Lake City, Carol was also a Chaplain at the VA Hospital, where she embraced the challenge of serving on the Ethics committee and Heart Transplant Team, and was Chief of Chaplains at her retirement.

Throughout her life, Carol was a source of unwavering love, strength, and guidance to her family and friends. She married James Earle West in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on June 3, 1959, his graduation day as a member of the first cadet class of the United States Air Force Academy. Together they built a life filled with love and cherished memories. Carol and Jim raised two children, David West and Susan Ensor, who will forever be grateful for her love and support.

Carol had many interests and hobbies in life, including a love of the outdoors and nature that she shared with friends and family. She was a talented cook and enjoyed needlework, earning ribbons in county fairs for her baking and handcrafts. She and Jim shared a love of travel, inspired by the young family’s deployment to France during Jim’s time in the Air Force. They continued to travel to their beloved Hawaii and around the world for many years, meeting up with friends and family, and always walking, hiking or swimming. In Cortez, Carol volunteered with the Dolores Library Board of Directors and Habitat for Humanity Montezuma County. Those positions inspired Carol to learn the art of eBay sales where she successfully fundraised for organizations by re-selling donated items online.

Carol is survived by Jim West, her devoted husband of 67 years. In addition to her children David and Susan, she is survived by four grandchildren (Kristin Westerhold, Brian Ensor, Bailey Ensor, and Kevin Ensor) and two great-grandchildren (Marie Westerhold and Julian Westerhold) and many other relatives and friends who were touched by her warmth and kindness.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Carol’s life will be held at St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, 27 ½ Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, on Friday, February 28, at 11am. Friends and family are invited to attend to pay their respects and share their memories.

In lieu of flowers, Carol requested that donations be made to St. Matthews Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, or a charity of your choice.

Rest in peace, dear mother. Your memory will live on in our hearts forever.