Florence West's Obituary
Florence West, 88, of Tacoma Wa. passed away at Birch Creek Rehab Center in Tacoma Wa. January 09, 2026
She was born in Brooklyn, NY on Dec 5th 1937 to Ralph and Ruth Rosenkrantz. She decided to venture out on her own and moved to Tacoma Wa in 1968.
She worked in many different fields throughout her life but most of her adult life she worked as a care giver for the children of many family members and children of friends as well. She also took in anyone who needed a home. She was often referred to as “Mama Florence”.
She was a great "story teller". She would often tell us about things that happened to her over the years, things that were sometimes very hard to believe. We just figured she embellished a little. We later found out they were all true, when she reunited with 2 of her sisters that she hadn't seen in 60 years, Lila and Shellie. They confirmed her stories were indeed true. They lived those stories with her.
She believed in Jesus and stated many times she knew where she was going when she died. When we'd mention His name, she would smile.
She was preceeded in death by her middle son, James William Richner Jr. in 1994 and her husband John West in 2008. She is survived by 2 sisters, Lila Scanlon and Shellie Machin, also her children, Howard Richner, Robert Richner Sr. and Jennifer Richner.
She had 7 grand children - Alicia Graham, Nicholas Gordon, Rachel Gordon, Ashley Simon, Breonna Gervais, Karissa Graves, and Robert Richner Jr.
She also had 17 great grandchildren - J.J. Graham, Brian Graham, C.J. Pennywell, Neomiah Gordon, Niayah Gordon, Kuiandre Gordon, Cyrus Gordon, Darius Scurry, Charlie Simon, Oceane Gervais, Xavier Gervais, Ophelia Gervais, Onyx Gervais, Sophia Mccarty, Enzo Richner and Ezra Richner.
Services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd Sw, Lakewood, Wa.
Viewing - Thursday, January 29th from 10:00am-4:00pm
Celebration of life - Friday January 30th at 11:00am
What’s your fondest memory of Florence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Florence?
Share a story where Florence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Florence you’ll never forget.
How did Florence make you smile?