Elizabeth Nero West's Obituary
ELIZABETH “LIBBY” NERO WEST
Libby was born November 23, 1923, in Laurel, DE. Her parents Santo and Teodora Nero were both Italian immigrants who came to America for a better life. When Libby was only twelve years old, her parents died after eating poisonous mushrooms, leaving Libby and her brothers and sisters orphans. All of her siblings predeceased her.
Libby was married in 1940 to Alvin R. West, the love of her life, and they lived together in love until 2002, when Alvin died. Before his death, you seldom saw one without the other. They worked together in Acme Markets in Laurel, DE, Havre de Grace, MD, and Seaford, DE before moving to Laurel in 1955 to buy and operate a Clover Farm store.
They remained in Laurel until the mid-1960’s when they moved to Washington DC and managed the Manchester Hotel. From there, they moved to Bailey’s Crossroads, VA and worked for Kay Management Company managing an apartment complex of over three hundred units until both retired and moved to Pompano Beach, FL. While in Florida, they traveled north every summer to visit family and friends. When traveling became difficult, they moved back to Delaware and bought a home in Lewes where Libby lived until she recently became unable to live alone. At the time of her death, Libby was living in the loving care of the staff at the Country Rest Home, in Greenwood, DE.
During her life, Libby worked hard and played hard. She and Alvin owned several race horses and they traveled up and down the East Coast as they followed the racing circuit. Sitting still was foreign to her, so she and Alvin and sometimes other family members went on cruises and traveled together. One of Libby’s passions was poker and in her later years could be often found at a Texas Hold ‘Em table, but not as often as she would have liked. Her family – brothers and sisters and children and grandchildren and great grandchildren were important to her and helped fill her life with a richness of experiences and love.
Her survivors include her children: Ruth Ann Phillips and her husband Keith of Laurel, William (Bill) West of Port St Lucie, Florida, and Karen West and her partner Melissa Clements of Rehoboth Beach; her grandchildren: Kelly Phillips and her partner Kim Grim of Rehoboth Beach, Pamela Phillips-Rossi and husband Christopher of Exton, PA, Jennifer Phillips Nestor and her husband Robert of Malvern, PA, and Rusty West and his wife Beth of Port St. Lucie, FL; her great-grandchildren: Lindsey Nestor, Andrew Nestor, Abigail Nestor, Libby Rossi, Katie Rossi, Billy West and Jake West; and nieces and nephews. Libby will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Memorial Service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE, at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 28, 2012. Interment will be private.
Her mortal remains have been entrusted to the care of Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963.
Please sign Libby’s online guestbook at this site.
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