I've spent some time lately thinking about obituaries. They all have one thing in common: they never really describe the character of the deceased. Instead, they tell the reader how many kids, grandkids and great grandkids they had, how many years they were married, how successful they were in their line of work, and their hobbies. (Note: If their hobby was fishing, often times there is a picture of a 35 pound salmon being hoisted by the deceased.)
My complaints about generic obituaries were erased today when, in the obit section of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent there appeared a particularly unique and spectacular obituary (see below).
In sharp contrast to standard obits, I really feel that this one truly communicates the true character of this remarkable woman.
I have never met Janet West, the deceased.
But I damn sure wish that I had. Rest in peace, Janet.
Born and raised in the Garden State of New Jersey, Janet West moved to Colorado in 1977 with her then-husband Dick Parker, father of her three girls, Kristy (Wes MacCachran), Stacey (Bryan Harper), and Danielle – just one of a mere 23 relocations she made in her life.
Janet outlived all of her ex-husbands: Dick Parker, Tony Merrill (the spelling of his name remains uncertain… it was a short marriage), and Ron West. A potential fourth husband may or may not be living. His name might have been Harry, he may have been a roadie with REO Speedwagon, and there may have been a trip to Vegas that included a gun, an arrest for prostitution, and a swiftly annulled wedding. Given her penchant for Miller Lite and cigarettes, it’s shocking she outlived them all. She was known to celebrate each week she read the obituaries and didn’t find her name among them. Today, however, is not one of those days.
Known as “Mema” to her grandkids, she had nine in total: Lexine, Parker, Sienna, Garett, Lily, Jamison, Kalvyn, Megan, Caleb, and one great granddaughter, Brinleigh. In addition to her three daughters, she had three stepchildren with Ron West: Kelly, Julie, and Ron. The stepchildren said what they remembered most about Janet was her knack for making everyone smile and for filling a room with laughter. Though her cooking – specifically pizza – was also mentioned, it’s hard to believe her culinary skills were any part of her lasting legacy.
Mema’s life was packed with adventure. Some highlights include harboring fugitives in the house while raising teenagers and forgetting to come home to babysit grandkids because she lost track of time while out gambling (the black smudges of casino coins across her face were a dead giveaway of the hours she had spent at the slot machines). Her dedication to slot machines continued through her life – just two years ago at her granddaughter Megan’s 21st birthday celebration in Las Vegas, her grandson Garett commented that his favorite moment was arriving at the casino at midnight to find Mema posted up in front of a one-armed bandit. She outlasted nearly everyone every night!!
Her adventurous spirit was still on display for her 80th birthday, when her family gathered in Rifle to celebrate. Mema’s wish was to paraglide off Red Mountain in Glenwood Springs – and she did, soaring with the birds on her special day. Many of the grandkids participated as well (other octogenarian birthday activities included whitewater rafting and a DeBeque JetBoat tour).
Mema leaves her grandchildren a wealth of cherished treasures, most notably her extensive T-shirt collection consisting of beer shirts, Halloween shirts, weenie dog shirts (in honor of her beloved weenie dog, Fat Tina), and the ever-coveted combination Halloween-weenie dog shirts.
If you’ve read this far hoping to learn about the obituary photo, here’s the story. In the early 80s, Janet and her best friend Marge were suspects in a Rifle jewelry heist and were booked by the Silt police. The charges were quickly dismissed after it was confirmed they both had been riding on a float in the Garfield County Fair parade at the time of the robbery. True to form, though, during booking Janet convinced the officer to let them pose side by side for mugshots – even a few classics with cigarettes dangling from their mouths. When the officer brought the film into the Silt Market (where Janet worked at the time) to be developed, she secretly had extra prints made for posterity.
Janet West was, as a family member fondly said it, a classic. On the wall of her home she hung a print that read: ‘Life is not meant to be a journey to the grave in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow, What a Ride!”‘ She literally lived up to those words – so much so that, upon her passing, Science Care declined her body.
We love you, Mema.
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SOURCE: GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
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Readers, enjoy your day.
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