Barbara J. West, a retired Social Security Administration claims adjuster and pinochle fan, died of cancer Jan. 12 at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson. She was 74.

The daughter of George Jones, a laborer, and Elizabeth Goines, a private-duty nurse, Barbara Jean Jones was born in Baltimore and raised in homes on Robert and McCulloh streets. She was a 1959 graduate of Eastern High School.

Ms. West began working in 1968 for the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn and became a disability claims adjuster. She retired last year.

A longtime resident of Rubin Avenue in Northwest Baltimore, Ms. West enjoyed playing pinochle and was a member of several pinochle clubs, family members said.

“She also collected miniature glass and porcelain pocketbooks and shoes,” said a sister, Jackie Davis-Belt of Atlanta.

Her husband, Robert West, died some years ago.

Ms. West was an active member of Brown's Memorial Baptist Church, 3215 W. Belvedere Ave., where a celebration of her life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

In addition to her sister, she is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Goines of West Baltimore; a son, Robert West of Atlanta; a daughter, Tiffani Mone't West-Hull of Atlanta; a brother, Jerome Trusty of Atlanta; another sister, Debra Campbell of Baltimore; and nine grandchildren.

—?Frederick N. Rasmussen