Rose West

Bethel- Rose Elizabeth (Barber) West, 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at The Cascades Assisted Living Facility in Bethel. She was the loving wife of the late Michael West.

Rose was born on April 22, 1929 in Manhattan, New York, the daughter of the late Donald Sr. and Josephine (Tumia) Barber. Rose was raised in for most of her adolescence in Brooklyn, New York and attended local schools. She furthered her education by attending business management school and she eventually became employed by the Reader’s Digest Company and worked her way up into senior Marketing Management over many years.  She thrived within the family environment within Readers Digest when it was initially a privately held company, and infused her infectious energy and appreciation of other people in all their diversities as the company grew and prospered. 

Later in life, Rose met the love of her life, Michael, who was soft spoken and happiest when in nature, the perfect compliment to Rose’s vibrancy.  Rose had a sharp wit and caring nature. She was always known for being well prepared and well put together. Rose’s love for life and desire to help others was reflected in her humanitarian works and even volunteered at the Southbury Senior Center up until the age of 91. Family was very important to Rose. She was always there for her family and took pleasure in spoiling her nieces and nephews.

Those left to cherish her memory is her surviving brother Donald P. Barber, Jr., her many nieces Suzanne Barber of Hebron, CT, Joanna Pond of Kona, Hawaii, Frances Simon of Philadelphia, PA., Patrice Sotomayor of New York, and nephews Gene Barber of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Michael Barber of Hawthorne, CA. and Donald Barber of Lewisville, TX.   She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, all of whom received her devoted love and admiration and recognized her as a matriarch of the Barber family.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Eleanor Barber who currently resides in Bradenton, Florida.  She was predeceased by her second brother Francis Barber, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, in Mystic, Connecticut. 

A celebration of Rose’s Life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To check for service information when available or to leave a message of support for Rose’s family, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rose West, please visit our floral store.