ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A Tompkins County official mourns the loss of a former colleague.

On January 17, Kathy West, who previously served as Director of Budget and Finance and Deputy County Administrator, passed away.

West was hired in 1973 and held several different clerk positions in the Budget and Finance Office before becoming director in 1989. Two years later, she became Deputy County Administrator and held the position until her retirement in 2003. She also served as Interim County Administrator for 5 months in 1998.

Legislator Lee Shurtleff says she was an instrumental figure in many key projects during her tenure with Tompkins County.

Other colleagues say West was very dedicated and well respected by all Tompkins County departments.