Florence “Flo” Kathryn West, 83, passed away on Thursday, April 18th, 2024, at Penn Highlands DuBois Hospital, with her family at her side.
She was born February 27, 1941, at Magee Hospital to her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ben Lear, of Vandergrift, PA.
Flo was preceded in death by her husband, George G. West, and sister, Gillen Lear Geary.
She leaves two children, David West of Pittsburgh, PA and Allison West Nunes and husband Walt, of Springfield, VA.
Her grandsons are Tristan West, Kevin West, Kyle Nunes, and Tyler Nunes.
Her siblings include Tim Geary, from Pittsburgh, Ben (Adrienne) Lear, Chris Lear (and Bob) Murray, Rich and (Mary) Lear from Oakmont, and Bill Lear (Johnna) from Indiana, PA.
Other family includes Lisa and Gary Bedell, Cheryl Stonbraker, Bill and Libby Smathers, Olie and Jackie Smathers, and Dottie Dean, all of Punxsutawney; as well as Dylan Blose of Pittsburgh.
Flo graduated from Vandergrift High School Class of 1959.
At West Virginia University, she majored in Drama, Speech, and English.
She graduated from Emporia State in Kansas with an MFA in Speech, Drama, and English.
Her graduate studies in Drama and Speech were earned at American University in Washington, D.C.
She taught high school Drama, Speech, and English in Emporia, Kansas, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, Leechburg, PA and Alexandria, VA for a total of 35 years.
Flo’s awards and honors include the Grand Worthy Advisor of Pennsylvania Rainbow Girls – 1960, Canadian Championship in Drama to “Loretto Academy” for Girls – 1967, U.S. Bicentennial “Speaker of the Year” at the House of Burgesses”, University of William and Mary in 1976, Virginia Drama Championship in 1986, and “Teacher of the Year” in Pennsylvania and “Teacher of the year” in the state of Virginia.
In retirement in Punxsutawney, Flo was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as a liturgist.
She enjoyed membership in the Punxsy Concert Association, theater arts, Irving Club, PEO, 500 Card Club, and a short tenure with Garden Club and Friends of the Library.
She also belonged to Alpha Delta Pi sorority at West Virginia University.
Flo enjoyed theater arts and public speaking.
She taught drama classes at the Van Dyke Studio.
Most important to her life was gratitude to God, kindness to everyone, and joyful living!
She loved people and celebrations, games, practical jokes, and lots of fun and laughter – anything that united and brought people together!
Flo always left others “better than she found them.”
Her inclusion, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, and genuine vitality was contagious.
She will always be remembered for her love of life, high energy and enthusiasm, and joyful attitude that filled all the hearts she touched.
Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m., on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Deeley Funeral Home, Punxsutawney.
A service will be held at Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 23rd.
Private family interment will be held at Circle Hill Cemetery, Punxsutawney.
Donations in honor of Flo may be sent to The Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church, 106 East Union Street, Punxsutawney, PA or to “Tunnel to Towers” at T2T.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.deeleyfuneralhome.com.
