Lillian West tells me she is currently living out some of the best days of her life. Currently married to Gerald and living 4 miles up Larch Mountain on 40 acres, Lillian is at peace. Many, many years ago Lillian met and married a Marine. Together they had 6 children, losing a daughter at age 2. Lillian speaks slowly as she tells me of the horrible abuse she endured for years. The man has passed, and Lillian recounted for me the day she told him to leave and never come back again. Yes, rough times that has made her appreciate the life she has today. Lillian met Gerald five years after divorcing her husband and four years after meeting, she and Gerald married. Together they have 11 children, 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren! Lillian just loves to have everyone visit, but of course, not all at once! The home they currently live in was half finished in 1985 when they married, but now is fully finished and even has a sawmill out back. Gerald both started and finished the home and built the sawmill as well. He barters with folks to cut their lumber and trades services with them. Lillian and Gerald love to dance at the Gresham Senior Center as well as volunteer together at the Corbett Grange. Lillian has been a part of the Corbett Gardening Club for 25 years, the same length of time she has been a member of Corbett Community Church. Her favorite thing about living in Corbett is the people. She laughs when she tells me never to speak poorly of anyone because they are probably related in some way to the person you are talking to!
