Obituary of Helen Marie West (Artis)

Mom made it to the Winter of her 87th year. She passed into the Lord's waiting arms on January 20th, 2017. The prayers of the family were answered and God took mom in her sleep. She was in the exceptional care of Sutter North Hospice. She loved the rain although in her latter years we could never seem to be able to keep her warm. She took to wearing my sister's homemade knit cap, gloves, and scarf to go out and smoke under the covered porch at Summerfield. Mom was born in Roderfield, West Virginia on October 4th, 1929. She first lived on the side of a mountain with a double-outhouse at the top of the hill and finally, along a creek on the way to the "Bottoms" not far from her first home, until she left for California with grandma in about 1944. She married dad, Paul Chomistek, the day after she graduated from high school and lived happily with him some 42 years in Orange County, CA until he died. Mom and dad traveled the USA by car on and off for 7 years before I was adopted and Matt 6 years later. She saved her money and traveled to Europe with a dear church friend 2 years after dad died. They drove 5,000 miles in 3 months in a new red BMW that was shipped home for me. Later, mom married Donald West and helped raise his son, Joshua, until they divorced. She lived 41 wonderful years in Tierra Buena surrounded by God's gift in neighbors until she moved into Summerfield Assisted Senior Living 2.5 years ago. She remained faithful to the Lord, never lost her optimism, believed in miracles, had unconditional love for her family, and expressed unconditional positive regard for everyone she met. She was a progressive woman, and I think this most recent election was the first one she ever missed as a registered voter. Mom was affiliated with Cornerstone Church and the Lutheran Church in Tierra Buena and a past member of Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim for 20 years. She held voting booths in her garage for years, bowled in a local league, square danced while married to Donald West, worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 15 years and worked for a local cleaners. She was a marvelous cook and baker; she loved to feed people. You never left hungry. Her home became known to friends and family as Helen's B&B. She was a gardener extraordinaire. She enjoyed ceramics for decades. Mom and I sang together in the church choir in Anaheim where she was heavily involved in numerous church activities. She sewed clothes for me up through high school, as well as my Vogue Pattern wedding dress with full veil. She swore she'd never do that again. I believe the family and friends that knew mom best remember her as a Christian woman who listened first and spoke second. She managed to remain neutral most times and made sure you knew she loved you. Helen is survived by her daughter, Paula Chomistek, adopted daughter, Linda Zollars, son, Matthew Martin Chomistek, stepson, Joshua West, daughter in law, Sylvia Johnson, grandson, Matthew Paul Chomistek, nieces: Judy (Artis) Thornhill and husband Earnie and Ruby (Artis) Parker Dascenzie and husband Michael, nephew, James Artis, Jr., and cousins: Keith Guynes, James Parker, and Alyssia Resignalo and husband Anthony, and their children, Anthony, Addison, and Aden Resignalo. The service will be held at Sierra View Mortuary, 4900 Olive Ave, Olivehurst, on Saturday, January 28th, at 1 p.m. with a potluck to follow at 614 Ainsley Avenue, in Yuba City.