Barbara George West

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, lover of life, and servant of God; she passed peacefully, gazing into the eyes of her husband and surrounded by her children. She spent the last weeks of her life at home, hosting a stream of visitors who came to share appreciations and some of her infectious laughter. She leaves behind her devoted, adoring husband and best friend, James L. West; her three children Kristen E. Olmstead of Bennington, VT, R. Scott Olmstead (Abby Huston-Olmstead) of Winooski, VT and Gregory P. Olmstead of South Pomfret, VT; and the grandchildren she doted on whenever possible: Abraham Kanda-Olmstead, Joshua Paine, Georgia Paine, Miriam (Mimi) Kanda-Olmstead, Walden Olmstead, August Olmstead and Margot Olmstead. Born in Reading, PA to Miriam (Tielman) George Wertman and Mark Douglas George. She spent formative years, with her dear sister Carolyn (George) Dorward in Palmerton, PA attending the local public schools. She graduated from Muhlenberg College then worked in data-entry with some of the first computers. She started her family and moved to Manchester, VT where she became an ‘unsung hero’ sharing her love and positive energy with everyone. Her every journey, whether to the local post office or as she traveled the world, included warm chats where she connected with friends and strangers alike. The First Baptist Church of Manchester was her center of service for God and community. Here she befriended and mentored generations of young people through Sunday school and leading the youth group where her adventurous spirit brought teens together in fun and fellowship to revel in her shining example of joyous, living faith. She shared her love of music as Director of the choir and playing organ and piano for weekly services. She shared her love of food through hundreds of bake sales and Church suppers to name but a few of her culinary contributions. She was a beloved, dedicated teacher at Long Trail School for 33 years, where she taught German and headed the Math department. She coached tennis, supervised student trips to Germany, drove the bus, and was an all-around encourager and inspirer of students and colleagues alike. She also started the National Honor Society chapter and led student members to live the culture of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Barbara is fondly remembered by her children, the dozens of exchange students who adopted her as “second mom”, and especially her grandchildren, for her raucous, genuine commitment to fun. Her love of games was legendary and she was never too busy to play. After retiring, she volunteered for Hospice- where she sang with the Serenity Singers and served as a companionship volunteer providing camaraderie and interpersonal support to those preparing for end of life. She leaves behind an enormous blanket of love woven through her many kind, generous gifts and the lives she has touched. Please join us for a celebration of her life at the First Baptist Church of Manchester, on Main Street, on Saturday, June 8th at 3 pm; followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall hosted by the FBC Mary & Martha Fellowship. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church “Roof Renovation Fund.” To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com