Ferne Page West

Ferne Page West, 100, of Logan and formerly from Salt Lake City, passed away on December 2, 2010. Raised in Payson, UT, by Jonathan “Don” S. Page and Clara Huish Page, Ferne graduated in the top of her class at Payson High School and attended BYU and Utah State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English education. She did postgraduate work in library science at the University of Utah. She married Allan Morrell West, native of Logan, Utah, on December 2, 1932, in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they celebrated their seventy-second wedding anniversary in 2004. Her beloved husband died in 2005.

Ferne served as Vice President of the Utah League of Women Voters, was a member of the literary group, Daria, and taught Primary classes for the LDS Church. A close follower of current events and an independent thinker, she was at home in the world of ideas. She had a lifelong passion for reading, often reading several books simultaneously, along with magazines and newspapers. She was on a first-name basis with librarians wherever she lived. Her friendships crossed ethnic, racial, age and religious boundaries. She possessed a quiet dignity and personal serenity that touched those around her. She was admired by those who knew her, as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, co-worker and friend.

Ferne had a broad view of the world informed by her wide travels and voracious love of learning. She relished visiting art galleries, legislative chambers and universities. She took pride in the professional accomplishments of her husband, two sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Having lived in Utah, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and abroad, she adapted readily and welcomed a periodic change of scene. While living in Washington, D.C. she worked for The National Geographic Association, in the Department of Geographic Names.

She is survived by her two sons: Stephen Allan West (Martha), Jonathan P. West (Colleen); her five grandchildren: S. Allan West, Page E. Mallett, Adam S. West, Jonathan L. West, and Brigham N. West, and 15 great grandchildren. Memories of Ferne West will always warm our hearts and she will be greatly missed.

A viewing will take place on December 11, 2010 from 10:30 until 11:45 followed by a funeral at noon at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Utah State University Foundation for the benefit of the Ferne Page West Scholarship in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.