By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Carol Ann West, called the “heartbeat” of St. Catherine School in Kapaa, Kauai, where she was principal for the past 15 years, died Oct. 5, peacefully and at home surrounded by her family. She was 70 and had suffered from pancreatic cancer for two years.

“She was a great educator and a very good friend,” said Catholic schools superintendent Carmen Himenes.

Himenes said that West led St. Catherine School “through many difficult times” and periods of “conflict and instability” while remaining “the commanding, spirited force that kept the mission alive through the beauty of what she believed.”

“Carol was the heartbeat of the school,” Himenes said.

Those difficult times included Hurricane Iniki and its aftermath. As principal, West was instrumental in the rebuilding of the storm-damaged school. She also upgraded the curriculum, improved its technology and enhanced its staff. Under her leadership, St. Catherine, a preschool through grade eight institution, became one of the best schools on Kauai.

She acted as if “nothing was impossible with God,” Himenes said. “She basically lived the spirit of that school.”

Several years ago, West initiated with then pastor Marist Father Bruce Lery the Adopt-a-Student Program, helping many students receive a Catholic education they could not otherwise afford.

“That was a significant development for that school,” Himenes said.

West was also the first on Kauai to start a year-round school schedule.

She helped St. Catherine School earn accreditation and later joined the diocesan accreditation team that assisted other Hawaii schools in gaining the same certification. She was also a longtime member of the diocesan school board.

West graduated from Long Beach State College with a degree in education and received her master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. She moved to Hawaii with her family in 1971.

She taught at public schools and later became a Montessori teacher and director, opening her own schools on Molokai and Kauai. She moved her preschool to St. Catherine School in the fall of 1988 and was the preschool director until 1992.

She was appointed principal in 1993 and served until this year. It was a job she loved dearly.

West was also a trained musician and accomplished singer, performing with many groups and as a soloist. She played keyboards and sang at the 5 p.m. Mass every Saturday at St. Sylvester Church in Kilauea and most recently was a member of the Kauai Community College Garden Island Singers.

She also enjoyed swimming, singing, reading, knitting and watching her grandsons grow. She loved flowers. She found joy in living each day to the fullest. She believed in giving everyone an opportunity to uncover and share his or her gifts. She touched many lives in countless ways.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years Alva Jack, her son Garrett “Gary” West of Kilauea, daughters Jacqueline “Jackie” (Victor) Carlson of Arizona, and Janelle (Johnson) Koo of Kilauea, her mother Mary Van of California, her sister Donna Roberson of California, and grandsons Jack and Nicholas.

Her funeral was Oct. 15 at St. Catherine Church. Donations may be made in her memory to St. Catherine School.

According to Himenes, St. Catherine School has appointed its longtime second grade teacher Celina Haigh to be its interim administrator.

“We thank her for her generosity,” she said. “I know she will be true to Carol’s legacy.”