Pearl E. West

Pearl Edith (Tover) West, 87, of Longview, passed away at home on November 19, 2010. She was born May 12, 1923 on Puget Island, Washington to Peter and Ida (Reinestad) Tover, attended grammar school on the island, and Wahkiakum High School in Cathlamet. Pearl married Albert Fredric West on June 7, 1941 on Puget Island, where they made their first home. With the onset of WWII, Al enlisted in the Navy and they lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, and on Whidbey Island before Al shipped out. In 1948 they moved to Longview, and in 1959 to the houseboat in the Longview Yacht Club.

Pearl worked as the food service supervisor for Koelsch Enterprises for 18 years, retiring in 1977. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodges (IOOF), Sons of Norway, Concept Therapy Institute, and Longview Yacht Club, serving as First Mate to Port Captain Al for 38 years. Pearl and Al enjoyed a river lifestyle of boating, fishing and club events. She liked to attend dances, read and spend time with family and friends. Pearl was a lifelong seeker of health and truth.

Pearl was preceded in death by Al, her husband of 68 years, and three brothers. She is survived by two daughters, Susan Farquhar (Mike) of Longview and Bev Yonge (Gary) of Seattle; five wonderful grandchildren, Scott, Stephanie, Todd, Heather and Jennifer; six great-grandchildren, one niece and two nephews.

A celebration of life service will begin at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632 or The Salvation Army, 1639 10th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Elder Options as well as Pearl’s host of angels for their years of support and their respectful, compassionate care. Friends and family will remember Pearl as a strong, generous, caring woman, and mentor to many. Grandchildren will lovingly remember her as Gramma Healthy.