STACY WEST's Obituary
Stacy Ann West
These are some of the words used to describe Stacy by her family and friends… mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, dog mom, democrat, teacher, counselor, fervent friend, listener, protector, defender, enabler, wise, fair, honest, authentic, empathetic, affectionate, fun loving, a talented artist in multiple media forms, with big, warm, brown eyes and a million dollar smile.
She was a poet, author, painter, pastel portraitist, graphic artist, needle artist, and an amazingly talented wood turner. In fact, in 1993, she received a honorarium for one of her wood-turned pieces at the juried competition: Harvest the Wind, sponsored by Fairchild Tropical Gardens. She then fell in love with fabric art, where her beautifully crafted and uniquely quilted works took her artistic abilities to new heights. In 2003, the Green Gallery at Florida International University hosted an exhibition of her quilts: Art Quilts by Stacy West. She also showed one of her quilts “An Early Snack” at the Florida Museum of Natural History: Quilting Natural Florida in 2006. That quilt was featured in all the media used to promote the exhibition. These are just a few of the awards and honors she received over the years for her talents.
She attended Rhode Island School of Design, University of North Carolina, Barry University and Florida International University. But she was most proud of attaining her Masters in Library and Information Sciences through Florida State University.
She started her career as an Art, English and Drama teacher at Hialeah High, LaSalle High, Pace, and the Deerborn school where her influence inspired her students to excel and some to even follow her footsteps into teaching.
Stacy’s next post was as Arts Slide Curator and AV Librarian at Florida International University. Shortly thereafter she was appointed Adjunct Professor for the College of Education. She later went on to Coordinator of Instructional Technology at the Student & Faculty Media Production Center, where she made the most significant contributions as a Graphic Artist, all around mentor and facilitator to faculty and students alike. She was eventually appointed Assistant Director of Instructional Media Services, where her unending creativity, skills and positive influence continued to carry to students and faculty, to the point that she collaborated with a faculty member to co-author a publication on the native and exotic trees and palms of South Florida.
She is survived by her son, Matthew Rome and daughter Andi Rome; Jim Connell, Andi’s adopted father; grandchildren, Jaina Lockhart-Rome, Joshua Lockhart-Rome and wife Alicia, and their son, great-grandchild Donovan James Lockhart-Rome, born in February 2024. Her greatest hope was to be able to meet Donovan in person; his photos and videos brought her so much joy! And of course, she is also survived by Max, her loving Yorkie, whom she adored.
Stacy was predeceased by Thomas Rado West, father; Florence Flynn West, mother; Diana West, sister; Ilona Rado, grandmother, who was a brilliant painter; one of her works, The Blessing of the Fleet, was exhibited at Louvre Museum in Paris. Ilona Rado was also a staunch liberal, whom Stacy so admired for her actions and beliefs at a time where women were not given much voice.
Stacy was Liberal Democrat who marched with Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Movement, and a great supporter of women’s rights and civil liberties for all.
Her fondest memories were of an idyllic childhood in Westerly, Rhode Island, on land where her father and grandfather had built their home, playing in the nearby forest, and on her boat with her golden retriever, Nugget.
Stacy’s life wasn’t always idyllic. There were some very difficult times, but her driving force was color, beauty and most of all love. She will live on in all the color and beauty she created and in our loving memory.
What’s your fondest memory of STACY?
What’s a lesson you learned from STACY?
Share a story where STACY's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with STACY you’ll never forget.
How did STACY make you smile?
