Leila "Lee" Westcott

Leila B. "Lee" Westcott, age 100, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility. She was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on April 11, 1918, the loving daughter of Earl C. and Nellie (Burrel) Wilson. Lee spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, but in the early years worked in the Pharmacy at Community Hospital and also proudly served as a "Rosie the Riveter" for the Oliver Corp., working on the SB47 at the end of WWII. While at Oliver Corp., Lee met the "Love of Her Life", Herbert Lee Westcott Jr., after she questioned him, "Who are you, a foreman or something?" to which he promptly showed her his foreman badge, saying " I like you, you've got spunk !!" They also shared April 11th as their birth date. Lee and Herbert were married on November 15, 1956; he sadly preceded her in death on February 12, 1985.

Lee is survived by her children, Kathleen L. (George) Putman and Herbert Lee "Scott" (Teresa) Westcott, III.; and her grandchildren, Christopher Lee Simmonds, Daniel Grady Simmonds, Kristen Nicole Westcott, and Joshua Caleb Westcott. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ruth Hendershot and Flossie Weaver; and her brother, Winfred "Fred" Wilson.

Lee had the opportunity to meet Eleanor Roosevelt during the "New Deal" job effort to employ people at Community Hospital. She was very independent, and straight forward in the best of ways. She enjoyed sewing, arts & crafts, painting, and tending to her plants inside and outside. Her home was always important to Lee, and she was constantly cleaning her home and mopping her floors. Lee was always active in her children's lives, whether it be at school or other activities.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility for the wonderful care and attention they provided to Lee throughout her stay.

A graveside service to celebrate Lee's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Cancer Society- Great Lakes Division to help with the fight against kidney Cancer. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.