Constance Grow West

Constance "Connie" West, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away Friday morning September 26, 2025 surrounded by family.

Born and raised on a farm in Winthrop, NY, Connie was the oldest of seven children and grew into her role as the family's matriarch with warmth and grace. She carried the values of hard work, love, and generosity from her early years into every stage of her life.

Connie is survived by her devoted husband, James "Jim" Clinton West, her loving daughters, Jeanne Phenany (Moses), Barbara Berta (Rick), and Claire DeLano (Paul). She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren (Audrey and Matthew DeLano, Samantha and Derek Berta and Joshua Phenany), siblings (Janet, Kate, Mary, Marge, Nan, Danny), step-siblings (Sandy, Joe, Judy Lafave), extended family, and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Bernard Robert Grow and Jeanne Gauthier, stepmother Lillian Lafave and brother Karl Grow.

Connie met Jim at General Motors in Massena New York while working in the payroll department and after completing an accounting certification at the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, NY. Jim's career in the automotive industry brought them from upstate New York to Libertyville, IL, Sylvania, OH and then eventually Greenwood, IN where they remained for the longest part of their married life (24 years). Every city where they landed, they developed many long-lasting cherished relationships and found community in their Catholic churches. Master gardener and a gifted chef, Connie found joy in nurturing all living things-whether it was the plants in her garden, the meals she lovingly prepared, or the people she held close. Jim and Connie both excitedly participated in their grandchildren's lives (sports, musicals, concerts, award ceremonies, school masses). Connie had a true love of nature and generously shared that with others. She was happiest when surrounded by family, ensuring everyone felt nurtured and connected and will be remembered by her kindness, quick wit, playful humor and genuine care and concern for others. Connie was a pillar of strength and inspiringly courageous to the end.

Her life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 17th at 11:00 am, at Our Lady of the Greenwood Church in Greenwood, Indiana with a reception luncheon immediately following. All who knew and loved Connie are invited to join in honoring her memory.

The family encourages you to celebrate Connie's life by sharing a meal with loved ones, planting something beautiful, or extending a kindness to others-just as she always did. The family will be making a donation in her name to some of the gardens surrounding Our Lady of the Greenwood church.

Arrangements entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory-Greenwood Chapel.