Ginny West, 82, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of September 18, 2015 after a brief illness. Ginny was comforted by her family and the caring staff of Western Rehabilitation Care Center in Danbury.
She was born in New London on February 22, 1933, the younger of two children of Wilson and Thelma Beebe. Her sister, Thelma (Beebe) Santangelo, predeceased her.
Ginny graduated from Williams Memorial Institute in New London, CT in 1951 with a concentration in business. She shared many good friendships and was a member of a singing group, playfully naming themselves, The Andrews Sisters. Upon graduation, she worked as a bank teller. She married E. Ralph Andrews and briefly moved to Santa Monica, CA where they had a daughter together, Ginny (Andrews) Ryan. Ginny then moved back to New London with her infant daughter. On the flight home, to Ginny’s delight, the actress Jane Wyman held “little Ginny” in her arms. Back in New London, Ginny took a position as Executive Secretary at Electric Boat in Groton, CT where she retired after 25 years of service.
Ginny married Dan West in 1974, where they continued living in New London with her daughter and her two step-children Tim West and Linda (West) Giesing. Ginny and Dan were devoted to one another until Dan’s passing in 2007. Ginny was also predeceased by Tim and Linda.
Ginny loved watching the Red Sox; especially with her beloved Dad. She enjoyed playing bingo whether at Foxwoods Casino, St. Rose Church in Newtown CT, or Western Rehabilitation Care Center. She also loved her pugs, especially Buttons who won “ugliest dog in New London”. Living just one mile from Ocean Beach, Ginny enjoyed walking the boardwalk off-season. Ginny made dozens of pies for everyone to enjoy each Christmas and always gave huge Easter Baskets to her daughter and son-in-law and her beloved grandchildren whom she loved deeply. She was a talented organist at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill, CT throughout the 1970’s and ‘80’s.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ginny & Mike Ryan; her grandchildren, Matt & Haley Ryan; her nieces & nephew, Cathy Sue Santangelo, Elisa Santangelo, Gail (Santangelo) Bialowans, & Craig Santangelo; her step-daughter-in-law, Valerie West; and Valerie’s children, Drew & Allison West. She was predeceased by her niece, Cheryl (Santangelo) Borum.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 17th at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, CT. Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is serving the family. To leave an online condolence visit www.honanfh.com

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