Obituary: Mary (Alves) West, 81, Of Danbury

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

DANBURY, CT — Mary (Alves) West, 81, of Danbury, wife of the late Appellate Court Judge Thomas G. West, died at her home surrounded by her loving family and extended family on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Mrs. West was born in Stratford on February 15, 1942, the daughter of the late William and Viola (Harmon) Alves. She attended Stratford schools and graduated from Stratford High School.
Mary soon after met her husband-to-be, fell in love, and then married the Honorable Thomas G. West.

Mrs. West pursued two careers, a real estate license, and a cosmetologist license. She was a realtor with Clearbrook Realtors of Bethel and the proprietor of Salon Studio 21 Hair Design.

As a community activist, Mary established the Oakland Avenue Neighborhood Association (O.A.N.A.). Through her tenacity and activism, Mrs. West was able to have the City of Danbury raise an old abandoned factory at Balmforth Avenue and Rowan Street and become a neighborhood playground for children and a park currently known as the Lions Club of Danbury Park. She provided leadership and guidance to the Non-Profit Development Corporation of Danbury and Habitat for Humanity. Through her efforts, affordable housing was offered to first-time home buyers in the Rowan St. area.

Working with the Danbury Police Dept., Mrs. West was influential in establishing a Neighborhood Watch Program for the Rowan St., Oakland Ave., and Second Avenue area. Her leadership transformed the area and provided the opportunity for the area of becoming more habitable.
Annually, Mary and Tom would host the Annual Thanksgiving Feast. She would call everyone, family, extended family, and friends “to get the count” in order to purchase and prepare the much-needed food, beverage, and desserts for the feast. This brought Mary and Tom much joy and happiness to share their love and friendship with one another.

She enjoyed reading, traveling with her husband, and exercising. Mary lived life to the fullest and made the best of every day.

Mrs. West is survived by her loving sons, Joseph (Dawn), Thomas (Debra), and Michael (Regina), and twelve grandchildren Brianna, Zane (Eva), Myles, the late Isadora, Elijah, Ava, Mariana, Johnell, Michaela, Jordan, and Zachary, her extended family the Jacobs, two sisters in law, Elizabeth and Iris.

She will be eternally missed by her family, extended family, and a host of nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Ave., Danbury.

Funeral services and burial will be private.