| Graduation Year | Class of 1976 |
| Date of Birth | Feb 23, 1958 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 30, 2023 |
| About | Carrie Ann (West) Fitkin, age 65, died after a courageous battle with MSA on Friday, June 30th. Carrie was born February 23rd, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Doris and Marvin "Joe" West. She fondly recalled growing up in a vibrant neighborhood with memories of playing outside with her two sisters, Terry and Wendy, little brother Les, and friends. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1976, where she was involved in student council, choir and was the first chair flute in the band. Following high school, she attended Apostolic Bible Institute, married David Fitkin, and had four children: Joshua, Elliott, Angela, and Stacey. In 1993 she graduated from Mt. Mercy College, where she majored in English & Mathematics, was president of the English club, and was chief editor of Reflections, the college literary magazine. Carrie's poems were printed in many other creative writing publications. Carrie's compassionate nature and keen intellect drove all her pursuits. As a teenager, she would happily babysit neighborhood kids, tutoring English and Math, and later providing caregiving services for Senior Choice Home Care. Her favorite job was teaching algebra as an adjunct mathematics instructor at Kirkwood Community College. She said, "I had a great rapport with my students, so it made it fun interacting with them. I helped them as much as possible to get over their fear of math." Carrie was an avid painter and showered her friends and family with gifts of paintings and watercolors. Her creativity taught her children and grandchildren to see beauty in everything and to be comfortable expressing themselves emotionally. Her life of resilience is a reminder of God's unending love and grace. She once wrote that her motto was to be like a Timex watch, "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking." Carrie was a member of New Life Community Church, where many members became her extended family. There, she invested in Renew Ministry, a peer-counseling group, as long as her mobility allowed. In writing, she expressed to her children that she was especially grateful to have found "a church that teaches grace and a way that God can heal the pain of the past." Carrie is survived by her children Joshua (Ruthann) Fitkin and Angela (Michael) Bell, her six grandchildren, and her siblings Wendy (John) Mudd and Les West. She is preceded in death by her children, Elliott and Stacy, her sister Terry Smith, her parents, and many beloved pets. |
