Darcie Ann West

Darcie Ann West, a resident of Mount Clemens, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025 after a 9-month battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.

Darcie was born in Erie, PA to the late W. Glenn Zembower and the late Joylyn Murphy Zembower, parents of 3 children and proud members of the business community in Cumberland, MD, where they moved during Darcie’s childhood. Growing up in Cumberland, Darcie was an avid swimmer and attended Fort Hill High School where she played in the band, was on the tennis team, and was honored as Homecoming Queen. After her high school graduation, Darcie attended her parents’ alma mater, Grove City College, alongside her older brother and sister. Not too long after graduating, Darcie met her husband of 35 years, Greg West, in Ashtabula, OH while both worked at the local newspaper. Darice and Greg were united in marriage from January 8, 1983, until Greg’s sudden and unexpected passing in 2018.

Together, while moving around the country and globe with Greg serving in the United States Navy, Darcie and Greg became loving parents to their two children, Mallory and Brian. While it was years later, their family continued to grow through marriage, welcoming a son- and daughter-in-law, Jamie and Stephanie. It was only then that they discovered their greatest joy: becoming grandparents to 5 wonderful grandchildren.

In 1990 Darcie and Greg had settled down in Mount Clemens, MI. It was there that they grew close to some of the best life-long friends anyone could ask for. Throughout the many years to come, whether it was a Tuesday night dinner group, TUNA (Together Up North Alone) weekends, book clubs, patio parties, Detroit Tigers games, weddings, pool parties, the occasional hoedown, and much more, the bonds of these friendships only grew stronger. In a wonderful way, these long-time friends became like family for Darcie and Greg.

In the 1990’s, Darcie began working part-time for the Macomb YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Perhaps her greatest professional joy at this time was her work with the Synchronized Swimming Team. Soon thereafter, Darcie began working for the Macomb YMCA full-time as the Membership Director, and later, serving in a variety of roles with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, including Chief Human Resources Officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, including its downturn and subsequent rebuilding. Darcie’s family and co-workers remember the deep compassion she exhibited during this time. Among many professional accomplishments, including an MBA and recognition of her hard work, perhaps her greatest accomplishment is the many lives she impacted in her vocation. Darcie eventually retired in October 2023 after nearly 30 years of dedication to the YMCA.

While dedicated to the work she did, a greater share of her time, attention and devotion was given to her family. Whether it was youth or school sports, community activities, or church family programs, Darcie was involved. She, alongside Greg, worked hard to instill in their children values they felt most important: dedication, compassion, thoughtfulness, selflessness, and certainly faith. As a family, they enjoyed summer trips to Martha’s Vineyard where Darcie enjoyed porch sitting at the cottage, and water watching as the kids would play in the waves. With countless swordfish cookouts, Menemsha sunsets, campground strolls, and island adventures, many meaningful memories were made in that home away from home.

The West family’s love for Martha’s Vineyard was shared by Darcie and Greg with many in their circle of friends. Trip after trip, they’d invite and share their love for the island with others. To this day, groups of friends still enjoy trips to the Vineyard thanks to those invitations. Perhaps it goes without saying, the legacy Darcie and Greg left for others will never be forgotten.

As previously mentioned, Darcie also had a devotion to and love for her church, First United Methodist Church of Mount Clemens, where, among other roles, she served as the director of the Chapel Handbell Choir, the Crescendo Ringers Chime Choir, and the Genesis Bells Kids Choir. Darcie had a great love for music, both in ministry and in life, and her passion for it was infectious to many. Shortly before her cancer diagnosis, Darcie also became acquainted with the joy of church camp ministry after a week at Teddy Bear camp with grandchildren. Her passion led her to create a scholarship fund for future church campers.

It is worth noting that Darcie’s musical life did not begin and end with church bell choirs. For nearly 30 years, Darcie rang with Classical Bells, Michigan’s premier handbell ensemble. Playing concerts with Classical Bells throughout Michigan, a number of states, and even internationally, Darcie shared her love for music with everyone, everywhere. Darcie was also known as a talented flutist, an instrument she’d played since childhood.

While the last year of her life came with its challenges, Darcie’s life cannot, in any way, be defined by her brief battle with cancer. Rather, she will be remembered by many as a caring and fun-loving friend, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter and more. She’ll be remembered for the love and life she shared with Greg and for the joy she shared with all those she met. She’ll be remembered for the light she reflected into the world, even in her last days.

Blessed with the love of family and friends, Darcie is preceded in death by her parents, W. Glenn and Joylyn Zembower; her husband, Greg West; brother-in-law, Douglas West; and several close friends who were as close to her as family. She is survived by her brother, Barry (Pat) Zembower of Erie, PA; sister, Becky Zembower (Steve Stoney) of Anchorage, AK; Daughter, Mallory (Jamie) Carroll of Mooresboro, NC; son, Brian (Stephanie) West of Grand Blanc, MI; 5 grandchildren, Matthew, Micah, Max, Lee, and Jane; and nieces and nephew.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to all those who visited, cared for, helped, prayed for, and loved Darcie, especially throughout the last year. Your love was felt because of your presence, both in-person and in spirit. Furthermore, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to the medical and trials teams at the Henry Ford Cancer Center in Detroit, caregivers through Anytime Care, friend and caregiver, Victoria McSorley, the caregivers and staff at Wellbridge of Grand Blanc, as well as the staff with Compassus Hospice, each for their compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at First United Methodist Church of Mount Clemens at 57 Southbound Gratiot Ave., Mount Clemens, with Rev. Daniel Hart and Rev. Alicea Williams officiating. A time of visitation will begin at 10am with the memorial service beginning at 11am. The family would like to invite everyone to join them for a luncheon at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to First UMC of Mount Clemens are much appreciated.