Beatrice (Bea) Regina West, 84, of Murphysboro, Ill., and Edgartown from 1948 until 1958, died on Tuesday, March 16, at her residence in Murphysboro.

Beatrice was born on May 26, 1925, in Norwood, to John A. LaPrise and Floreda (DeLage) LaPrise. She was a graduate of the Attleboro High School in 1943 and the Sturdy Memorial School of Nursing in 1946.

Beatrice married in 1951 to the late William A. West, who preceded her in death in 1984. They resided in Edgartown and Chappaquiddick until 1958, when they relocated to Delray Beach, Fla.

She was a private duty nurse and continued her nursing career until 2005 at the age of 79. She was a member and officer in the National Association of Business and Professional Women, the national chapter of the Republican Women, American Legion and VFW, as well as being active in church affairs at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach and the First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro.

Bea was an avid traveler, visiting the Caribbean, and Central and South America. She loved boating, fishing, scuba diving and hiking.

She came to Murphysboro in October of 2007 to live with her daughter and son in law Terry and William Rains, who survive her. Other survivors include a granddaughter, Keli Bigham of Petersburg, Va.; a step granddaughter, Marla Rains of Orlando, Fla; and a step great-grandson, Andrew Rains of Orlando, Fla. She was predeceased by her parents and step mother Murial (Rice) LaPrise.

Her body was cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 115 N. 14th St., in Murphysboro, with Rev. Timothy Bean officiating. Pettett Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be mailed to the First Lutheran Church, 115 N. 14th street, Murphysboro, IL 62966, or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc, 204 Halfway Road., Marion, IL 62959.