Marlene J. West (known to many of us as Marla) passed away peacefully at Frye’s Care Home on the evening of March 27, 2026 at the age of 92. She had touched many peoples’ lives throughout her long life and was visited frequently by close friends and devoted family members in her final days.
Marla was born on June 24, 1933, in Redondo Beach, California to Joe and Alice Cooper. She grew up on the family farm in Grants Pass, Oregon- a rural upbringing she spoke of very fondly. She enjoyed sharing stories of rural life in Oregon where her father was the town butcher and her mother was the manager of their farm. Those early years instilled in Marla a deep love of the land and a true respect for nature and all its beauty.
In her early years, Marla was a keen horsewoman and animal lover. As a child was clearly a very talented musician and was given a grand piano which was kept in her bedroom. This instrument was her most treasured possession and it would go with her wherever she went for the rest of her life.
In high school, she met Bob Collins and accompanied his singing at state music championships. They were soon married and embarked upon a life of moving around the country in search of business opportunities. With them came their three children Wendy, Jeff, and Dirk as they travelled from Oregon to Virginia, Washington to New York and finally to California. Wherever they settled, Marla was a creative homemaker, a talented seamstress and a faithful church organist.
When the family arrived in Humboldt County, Marla enrolled at Humboldt State University and went on to earn degrees in Music, Art and English Literature. Influenced by the writings of Henry David Thoreau, she purchased a piece of land in the mountains above Jacoby Creek and designed for herself a handmade house. She was then beckoned by the sea and moved to Trinidad where she was curator of the local art gallery, teacher of creative writing and co-founder of the Westhaven Community Arts.
Marla’s creativity was evident in everything she did and she was a member of many clubs. She was a long term member of the Painters Club where her work sought to capture the natural curves of plants and animals with careful attention to detail. She was a lifelong hiker and an early member of the Sierra Club. She was a devoted gardener and lifetime member of the local Garden Club. She practiced yoga for much of her life and passed on that passion to her daughter and her granddaughter. She took a broad minded approach to spirituality and attended many gatherings; including the Unitarians, the Presbyterians the Trinidad Salons and the Grange.
In 1985, Marla married Robert Lee West and they made their home in Westhaven. There she turned her hand to developing an extensive garden, with her beloved dog Amanda at her side. With Bob, she became a regular visitor to her daughter’s home in England and together they travelled extensively through France, Scotland and Switzerland.
Seeking the warmth of the sun and the friendship of a small community, she later moved to Blue Lake, a town which she soon grew to love. There she fully embraced many of the town’s popular attractions; such as Dell Arte performances, peaceful forest trails and rousing live music performances at the Tap Room and Logger Bar. She made many new friends and enjoyed attending the Blue Lake Wha-nika gatherings, where fabulous food and friendly faces were always on offer. In fact, it was obvious to her visiting grandchildren that, wherever she went, their grandmother received a very warm welcome.
These grandchildren: Bryony, Alec, and Chad were to bring Marla her greatest joy in later years. With part of her family settled in England, she was determined to access the latest computer apps in order to keep in touch. Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat were all in her repertoire. But she could often be heard saying, “You want to know my very favourite app? It’s Messages!” This comment now seems very reflective of the Marla we all knew and loved: so warm and funny- and always present for the people she loved.
Today Marla is survived by her husband, Robert West, her daughter Wendy Rust, her son Jeff Collins and her son Dirk Collins. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren Bryony Rust, Alec Rust and Chad Collins. Marla will always be remembered for her vibrant creative energy. Her life was long, her days were full, and at the heart of it all was her family, who will feel her absence deeply.