Elizabeth J. West 78, died Wednesday July 25, 2012 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. She was born May 12, 1934 in Springfield, IL the daughter of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Malone) West. She moved to Florida in 1946 with her parents and graduated from St. James Catholic School. She received her bachelors degree in Kansas at St. Marys College, then returned to Orlando where she married and raised her two daughters while obtaining her masters degree at Rollins College. She taught math and science at Howard Jr. High School in Orlando until 1981 when she moved to Bad Kreuznach, Germany to teach on the army base to the U.S. Militarys children. She retired in 1998 and moved to Mendon, VT to enjoy the mountains and cooler weather like she enjoyed so much in Germany. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and to Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, China, Russia and just last year went on a cruise with her dear friend of 65 years, Pat Gill to England, France, Ireland and Iceland. Besides traveling, she loved reading and gardening, but most of all her dogs, Mopps, Horatio and YumYum, were her daily joy. She was on the board of directors of her condo association since 2005 and shared her green thumb by placing pots of flowers to welcome residents and visitors at her building. She had many good close friends in her building; together they enjoyed daily activities including dining, shopping, planting, and just sitting around talking and sharing a cup of coffee. She will be remembered for her quick wit and humor, and loving nature. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth B. Matlaga, of Deerfield Beach, FL, Catherine M. Wilkerson, of Orlando, FL, grandson, Christopher D. Wilkerson and son-in-law, Francis X. Crosby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday July 28, 2012 at 12:30 P.M. at Immaculate Heart Of Mary Catholic Church, Rutland the Rev. Remigius Ntahondi, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church as celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association. Arrangements were under the direction of the Ducharme Funeral home in Castleton.