WEST, Martha Charlotte Van Cott, widow of Reed I. West, died on August 31, 2008 at the age of 101. Mrs. West was born on October 26, 1906 in Bayonne, N.J., to the late Harvey A. and Clara V. Van Cott. She grew up in Glenwood Landing, Long Island, N.Y., and lived in Richmond for 70 years. She was predeceased by her only brother, Theodore H. Van Cott Sr.; and is survived by her niece, Martha V. Singdahlsen of Richmond; and her nephew, Theodore H. Van Cott Jr. and his wife, Michelle, of Daytona Beach, Fla. She is also survived by four great-nephews and a great-niece, D. Scott Singdahlsen (Kim) of Parker, Colo., Joseph R. Van Cott (Debbie) of Savannah, Ga., Wendy V. Speight (Tim) of Bloomington, Illinois, Michael L. Van Cott of Hendersonville, N.C., and Jeffrey P. Singdahlsen (Alice) of Washington, D.C.; numerous great-great-nieces and nephews and a number of dedicated nieces and nephews of her late husband. In addition, she is survived by her dear friend, Doris Roberts of Raleigh, N.C.; and her devoted caregivers, Ida Caldwell, Rachel McCoy, Beverly Carter and Hanson Howell. The family expresses a special thank you to Bon Secours Hospice. Martha West was an accomplished ballroom dancer and won many competitions both locally and nationally. She was the first woman to earn a pilot's license in Richmond and was a strong supporter of the Aviation Museum, where a wing is named in her honor. She was an avid gardener and she and her husband donated the Martha C. and Reed I. West Island Garden at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, where she served on the Board for many years. She was a communicant at St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Mrs. West's life will be celebrated at a memorial service at Old St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, on September 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. The family will receive visitors in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to do something in Mrs. West's memory may make a donation to the Richmond SPCA or a charity of their choice.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
